Identification of gender in dioecious Hippophae salicifolia using isozymes as sex markers

Abstract

Hippophae salicifolia D. Don is a dioecious plant species in which female plant genotypes are commercially preferred over the male genotypes. The fruit berries have rich medicinal and nutraceutical properties due to large amount of vitamins, essential oils, proteins, fatty acids, free amino acids and flavanoids present. Primary limitation for breeding Hippophae salicifolia is its dioecious nature, as gender cannot be identified by traditional methods. Therefore, some reliable and quick methods need to be developed. The isozyme analysis was conducted for ten enzyme system viz. alcohol dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, phosphorylase, aspartate amino transferase, a-esterase, b-esterase and acid phosphatase. Three enzyme systems viz., malate dehydrogenase, catalase and peroxidase showed considerable and very useful variation among the staminate and pistillate genotypes of Hippophae salicifolia. The staminate and pistillate genotypes could be distinguished with the help of sex specific isozyme markers, thereby indicating the immense potential of isozymes in gender identification in Hippophae salicifolia.