Assessment of genetic diversity in Indian Barnyard millet (Echinochloa spp. complex) using morphological and molecular markers

• Published in: Journal of applied and natural science Vol. 8; no. 3; pp. 1643 - 1648
• Main Authors: Moharil, M. P., Gawai, Dipti, Dikshit, N., Dudhare, M.S., Jadhav, P. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Haridwar Applied and Natural Science Foundation 01.09.2016
• Subjects: Cereal crops; Echinochloa; Echinochloa colona; Echinochloa frumentacea; Genetic diversity; Genetic relationship; Genetic resources; Genotypes; Markers; Millet; Morphology; Similarity
• ISSN: 0974-9411; 2231-5209
• DOI: 10.31018/jans.v8i3.1016

In the present study, morphological and molecular markers (RAPD primers) were used to analyze the genetic diversity and genetic relationships among 21 accessions of Echinochloa spp. complex comprising the wild and cultivated species collected from Melghat and adjoining regions of Vidarbha, Maharashtra. The availability of diverse genetic resources is a prerequisite for genetic improvement of any crop including barnyard millet. A high degree of molecular diversity among the landraces was detected. Among the 21 genotypes, two major groups (A and B) were formed, at 67.28 % similarity, which clearly encompasses 15 accessions of E. frumentacea and 6 accessions of E. colona. Higher similarity was observed in accessions of E. frumentacea. The accessions IC 597322 and IC 597323 also IC 597302 and IC 597304 showed more than 94% similarity among themselves. The classification of genetic diversity has enabled clear-cut grouping of barnyard millet accessions into two morphological races (E. frumentacea and E. colona).