Isozyme variation in seven populations of Santalurn album L. in Kerala

Genetic diversity within and between seven sandal populations viz., Marayoor, Wayanad, Thenmalai, Wadakkanchery, Ottappalam, Kasargod and Kannavam were investigated using metabolic enzymes viz., peroxidase (PRX), shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH), gluco phosphate isomerase (GPI), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and esterase (EST). Eight out of the eleven resolved loci (72.73%) were found to be polymorphic at least in one of the individuals analysed. The average rate of gene flow between the populations was found to be very slow (0.11). An examination of the partitioning of genetic diversity within and between populations indicated that 69% of the observed variation occurred between populations and the rest of the variation within populations. The genetic relatedness of the seven populations revealed by the UPGMA dendrogram, showed genetic grouping of populations in three clusters. Kasargod and Kannavam were the most genetically similar and Marayoor and Wayanad were the most diverse populations.