Molecular Characterization of Chickpea (Cicer ArietinumL) Through Rapd and Issr Markers

Abstract

All Twenty Three cultivars of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) were collected from core collection maintained and grown CRC Chirodi of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology during rabi 2012–13 and molecular analysis was done in Molecular Biology Laboratory, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, India. Chickpea is a highly nutritious grain legume crop and is one of the cheapest sources of protein. It can be eaten raw, roasted or boiled. It can also be processed into flour or dehulled grain (dal). It contains none of the anti-nutritional or toxic compounds often present in other legumes. Chickpea is an important source of energy, protein, vitamins (especially B vitamins), and minerals (potassium & phosphorus) and soluble and insoluble fiber. Mature chickpea grains contain 60–65% carbohydrates, 6% fat, and between 12% and 31% protein which is higher than any other pulse crop. The aim of this study is to evaluate the genetic diversity of chickpea varieties by RAPD and ISSR markers. Based upon similarity coefficient and cluster analysis of both RAPD and ISSR primers, chickpea genotypes Pusa-256 Pusa-72 and WCG-3 were found to be quite distinct and they can be used for their desirable characteristic in breeding programmes. In our study based on both RAPD and ISSR primers, chickpea genotypes Sadbhavna, Pusa-547, Bahar-235, E-333, Pusa-362, Pusa-372 shows maximum similarity with each other. But when used together, ISSR based cluster is more similar to the combined cluster than RAPD based cluster.