RAPD marker-assisted identification of genetic diversity among mango (Mangifera indica) varieties in Mauritius.
Ramessur A. D., Ranghoo-Sanmukhiya V. M.
Author Affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius, Reduit, Mauritius.
International Journal of Agriculture and Biology 13 : 167-173
Abstract : Morphological and molecular techniques were used to evaluate the characteristics of 12 mango (Mangifera indica L.) varieties cultivated in Mauritius and to compare their genetic relatedness. Genomic DNA was extracted from leaf samples and genetic characterization was carried out using the RAPD technique making use of 30 decamer Operon primers. 77.1% polymorphism was obtained with Operon primer OPD-2 being the least discriminatory in contrast to OPA-9 and OPL-14, which were most polymorphic. An Un-weighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean dendogram of cophenetic ratio 0.9732 was constructed with distance values of 0.222 to 0.667. Two major clusters consisting of a mixture of foreign and native mango varieties were delimited with Overseer being the least related to the rest of the varieties. No clear distinction between the landraces and exotic varieties was observed. Phenotypically similar José and Eugénie varieties were also genetically close. The 3 'pickle' varieties Dauphiné, Sabre and Blanc were within the same cluster. Considerable genetic variation was observed between the studied mango varieties. The RAPD technique together with the analysis of morphological characters proved useful for assessing the diversity existing between the mango varieties. In conclusion, the mango varieties used in this study could be tapped in breeding programs aimed at cultivar improvement.