Genetic diversity analysis aiding in selection of parents by RAPD markers in rice (Oryza sativa L)

Abstract

Genetic diversity among 26 rice genotypes was investigated using RAPD markers. The genotypes were screened for the leaf blast disease reaction at two different environments. The average number of alleles amplified per primer was 9.03. Average number of polymorphic bands per primer was 6.80 with average polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.264. Clustering based on dendrogram revealed two major clusters and 5 sub clusters. Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) revealed three major groups. The first coordinate does not discriminate any of the genotypes based on the geographical origin, but the second and third coordinates differentiated South East Asian and South Asian genotypes clearly. Genetic diversity analysis of rice genotypes with RAPD marker system and phenotypic screening for blast resistance revealed that White Ponni (susceptible) and Moroberekan (resistant) were one among the genetically distant and contrasting parents for leaf blast resistance. There is no clear discrimination of the markers to distinguish leaf blast resistant and susceptible genotypes into separate clusters by the principal coordinate analysis.