Genetic diversity analysis of Salvadora persica: An evergreen halo-xeric species of semi-arid and sub-humid regions of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

ISJ, ISSR and RAPD molecular markers were used for genetic diversity analysis of Salvadora persica from semi-arid and sub-humid climatic regions of Rajasthan, India. Salvadora persica is an evergreen shrub or small tree of family Salvadoraceae and locally known as “Jaal”. RAPD (10), ISSR (10) and ISJ (7) primers yielded 91.1%, 86.1% and 83.1% polymorphic bands respectively. Genetic differences and similarities based on UPGMA dendrograms and PCoA resemble with physical distances and climatic conditions of Jodhpur (semi-arid), Jalore, Pali, Pushkar, Merta (sub-humid) populations in present investigation. AMOVA revealed higher molecular variation within populations (64%) than among populations (36%). The chances of cross pollination through insect are more in short distance within populations than among populations and can be correlated with higher molecular variation within populations than among populations.