Bulk genomic DNA PCR analysis – A rapid approach to estimate genetic relatedness among heterogeneous lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) populations

In the present investigation a method is demonstrated using bulk samples of genomic DNA to estimate the genetic relatedness among heterogeneous lucerne populations through RAPD markers. Each of seven random primer employed generated 2 to 12 DNA fragments from the individual plant of five population as well as bulked samples made of several plants per population. The genetic distance (D) calculated from RAPD patterns obtained with bulked DNA samples ranged from 0.077 to 0.346 which largely corresponds to their known relatedness. The RAPD profiles of the bulk samples containing DNA from different number of individuals of the population indicated that bulking of at least ten individuals DNA are necessary to get the representation of the most of the bands of the population. Thus the method demonstrated could be useful for estimating genetic relatedness among the heterogeneous crop like lucerne.