Annamalai A.1, Christina V.L. and Lakshmi P.T.V.2
1Department of Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Karunya University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
2Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India.
Pharmacognosy Communications,2012,2,1,62-65
DOI: 10.5530/pc.2012.1.11
Published:january 2012
Type: Research Article
ABSTRACT
Background: Genetic diversity at the intra species level arises from differences in climatic conditions, geographical distribution and environmental stress. Thus the study of genetic diversity assists in determining the phylogeny of a particular plant species and the impact of geographical locations on the plant genome. Objective: To assess the genetic diversity and phylogeny of Cardiospermum halicacabum species’ from different regions within the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Materials and Methods: Plant DNA was isolated and amplified using eight random primers.The presence of amplified DNA bands was recorded as a 1, while the absence of any bands was recorded as a 0. The percentages of polymorphism were determined using the ratio of similarity to dissimilarity of band pattern. The data was analysed using the VisionWork LS Analysis Software to construct a dendrogram to create a phylogenetic tree, for cluster analysis using UPGMA (Unweigthed Pair Group Method with Arithmetical Mean). Results: RAPD analysis showed varied amplifications for each sample. The polymorphism was 29.41% and the number of polymorphic fragments ranged from 603 bp to 6557 bp. The dendrogram revealed two clusters, Cluster I included the sample from Chennai, while Cluster II included samples from Dharmapuri, Thanjavur, Thirunalveli, Coimbatore and Madurai, thus showing the extent of intraspecific variation. Conclusion: Variation in geographical plant location was consistent with genetic differences. ThereforeDNA banding patterns may be used as a fingerprint marker for the identification of Cardiospermum halicacabum species.
Key Words:Genetic diversity, RAPD, phylogenetic tree, Cardiospermum halicacabum.