Genetic diversity of Indian bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) by ISSR and morphological markers

Abstract

Genetic variation among 29 bitter gourd genotypes was assessed using morphological and ISSR markers during 2013–14. High genetic variability was observed for yield per plant (397–1990 g), number of fruits per plant (9.18–43), individual fruit weight (25.47–125.67 g), plant height (110–503 cm), fruit length (6.39–25.97 cm), fruit diameter (2.53–6.1 cm), number of seeds (5–22.33) and number of branches per plant (4.67–16.44). The pair-wise Jaccard’s similarity coefficient ranged between 0.22–1.00 based on morphological traits. The size of fragments varied from 200 bp (by ISSR marker UBC-808, 811, and 835) to 1550 bp (by ISSR marker UBC-807). Maximum polymorphism was shown by primers UBC-825 and lowest level of polymorphism was shown by UBC-807, UBC-809 followed by UBC-812, UBC-810. On an average 63.16% polymorphism was obtained per primer. All genotypes were grouped into five main clusters. Jaccard’s similarity coefficient ranged from 0.73–1.00. These data revealed that large amount of genetic variability exist among the examined genotypes of bitter gourd.