1Division of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghattta Lake Post, Bangalore 560 089
2Division of Fruit Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghattta Lake Post, Bangalore 560 089
*Corresponding author's E-mail: lalitha@iihr.res.in
Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers have been very widely used to study genetic diversity in many crops including grapes. In this study, an attempt has been made to assess genetic relatedness among seven species and twelve Indian grape cultivars using RAPD markers. Fifteen and thirteen random decamer primers were employed to amplify DNA from species and cultivars respectively. These primers generated 132 bands for species and 87 bands for cultivars. The data generated was subjected to Cluster Analysis and Principal Component Analysis. The analysis revealed the existence of a great diversity among species and cultivars studied. Among species, Vitis vinifera and V. champini formed one group, while Cissus quadrangularis (round) and Cissus quadrangularis (winged) formed another group. The other species Cissus assamica, Leea angulata and Cayratia trilobata were shown to be distinctly diverse. Among grape cultivars, Bangalore Blue, Bangalore Purple and Black Champa were genetically distant from other cultivars indicating their diverse origin.
Indian grape cultivars, grape species, genetic diversity, RAPD
