Phylogenetic Analysis of Pulse Crops using RAPD and Seed Storage Protein Markers

RAPD and SDS-PAGE techniques were employed for identification and genetic diversity estimation of four major pulses, namely Cicer arietinum L. (chickpea), Lens culinaris L. Medikus (lentil), Cajanus cajan L. Millspaugh (pigeonpea) Pisum sativum L. (pea). 13 RAPD primers produced 100 amplicons, out of which 98 were polymorphic. Eight primers produced variety specific bands. SDS-PAGE analysis of seed storage proteins produced 116 bands. One protein band of 35 kD weight was common across species and varieties. Chickpea cultivars showed maximum number of protein bands (17), while pigeonpea recorded minimum bands (12). The molecular weight of bands ranged from 16 kD in pea to 99 kD in lentil. Dendrogram based on the similarity coefficient index showed that grouping of genotypes in different clusters was strictly as per the species without a mismatch and can be used as a tool for establishing phylogeny in pulse crops.