Molecular characterization and similarity relationships among three medicinal plants using RAPD markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to study the genetic variability in different genotypes of three medicinal plants, Foeniculum vulgare, Coriandrum sativum and Verbesina encelioides which grows in areas of Rajasthan. Highest polymorphism was observed in V. encelioides (73.66%), then in F. vulgare (50%) and lowest in C. sativum (43.2%). The discrimination power of each locus was estimated by the PIC (Polymorphism Information Content) value, for F. vulgare it ranged from 0.081 to 0.281, for C. sativum it varied from 0.05 to 0.22 and for V. encelioides it was 0.18 to 0.416. In conclusion, study demonstrated the usefulness of RAPD markers in estimating the extent of genetic variation in different genotypes of three medicinal plants. The information obtained here could be valuable for devising strategies for genetic improvement of these medicinal plants.