Assessment of genetic diversity in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) genotypes by using RAPD markers

Abstract

The present study was carried out at the department of Plant Biotechnology, College of Agricultural Biotechnology Latur, which aimed to study or assess the genetic diversity in eight different Cowpea genotypes by using the RAPD markers. This is important for cowpea genetic improvement and for the overall management of cowpea germplasm. Eight Cowpea genotypes namely GDVC-2, GC-3, GC-4, GC-6, Gangotri, Pusa Komal, Arka Garima, and VU-5 were assessed by using two RAPD markers (RPI-07 and RPI-08). In RAPD analysis, total of 20 amplicons were generated, among them 19 were polymorphic with 88.8% average polymorphism. RPI-7 and RPI-8 showed 88.8% and 100% polymorphism respectively. The similarity coefficient values ranged from 0.350% to 0.950% indicating high degree of genetic variation. The highest genetic similarity i.e. 0.857% was recorded between Pusa Komal and GC-6 and least genetic similarity i.e. 0.125% was observed in between VU-5 and GC-4. Two screened primers are found to be polymorphic (94.4%) with high polymorphic information content (PIC) which efficiently discriminating the varieties at molecular level.