Population genetic structure and diversity analysis in economically important Pandanus odorifer (Forssk.) Kuntze accessions employing ISSR and SSR markers

Abstract

Pandanus odorifer (Forssk.) Kuntze commonly known as Kewda is an economically important essential oil bearing plant belonging to the family Pandanaceae. Kewda flower distillation industry in Ganjam district (Odisha) accounts for nearly 90 % of the production of commercially important Kewda perfumes in the country and 50 % of that of the world. Economically, it is an important natural bioresource for the perfumery industry due to the exquisite fragrance it possesses. Besides the extensive use of Kewda male flowers for perfume production, other parts of the plant are also used in fibre, food, pharmaceuticals and handcraft industries. Hence, the plant contributes to be the livelihood of the local people of Ganjam district by providing an alternative source of income for the poor coastal villagers. Reports on the molecular characterization of Kewda germplasm using molecular markers are scanty. Molecular marker based assessment of genetic diversity in Kewda is very important for germplasm characterization, conservation and future improvement of the taxon. Hence, in the present study, 43 highly polymorphic molecular markers i.e. 13 ISSRs (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) and 30 SSRs (Simple Sequence Repeats) were screened on 84 Kewda accessions collected from different zones of Ganjam district, Odisha. Both ISSR and SSR markers showed moderate level of polymorphism i.e. 68.63 % and 74.36 % respectively. Dendrogram was constructed by UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) cluster analysis for both the ISSR and SSR markers and the result was confirmed by Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and population genetic study (POPGENE) was also done. SSR system was found to be more effective than ISSR system in evaluating the genetic diversity in Kewda accessions. The information obtained from genetic diversity analysis could be used for future breeding programmes for Kewda improvement to meet its ever increasing demand in the perfumery industry.