RAPD Analysis of Lathyrus sativus Somaclones

RAPD patterns were studied in seven somaclones of Lathyrus sativus having contrasting characteristics alongwith the parent cultivar P-24. Out of 81 decamer random primers used, 5 did not amplify and 24 revealed DNA polymorphism while the rest generated monomorphic banding patterns. Eight unique bands were amplified with different primers in four different somaclones. With most of the informative primers differences were observed between somaclones and also between some of the somaclones and parent cultivar P-24. More than 90% similarity in the RAPD patterns was evident among the somaclones and the parent cultivar P-24. Though it was not possible to identify a particular somaclone with a single primer, a combination of two or more primers could be employed to identify a somaclone.