Genetic diversity in blackgram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)

Blackgram is an important pulse crop in India serving as an inexpensive source of proteins in various popular Indian dishes. Increase in productivity of pulse crops is being achieved by developing newer varieties with agronomically desirable traits. In the present study, AFLP was used to reveal genetic variation among elite blackgram varieties and to differentiate them at a molecular level. The number of varieties identified by a primer pair ranged from 8 to 18. It was possible to differentiate the varieties using a single AFLP primer pair. Twelve blackgram varieties could be identified by the presence of variety specific amplicon. Grouping of varieties as revealed by UPGMA dendrogram was generally in conformity with known pedigree. Results shows that AFLP is an efficient technique for detecting polymorphism even in crop like blackgram which has a very limited genetic variability.