Phenotypic, Chemical Variation and Genetic Diversity Studies of Accessions of Cissus quadrangularis L.: Characterisation of Three Morpho variants Exhibiting Molecular Polymorphism

A total of 16 accessions of Cissus quadrangularis L. collected from 7 states exhibited phenotypic variation and genetic diversity, and 3 morphovarinats were distinguished on the basis of stem morphology. Combined data of phenology, chemical analyses and molecular biology (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA, Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) and chloroplast consensus microsatellite primers) have been discussed to understand taxonomic relationship between the three morphotypes. The two morphotypes (I and III) appear to be similar in regard to chemicals, leaf morphology and genetic makeup. Morphotype II appears to be divergent in regard to leaf shape, leaf colour, stem structure, having specific chemicals and with regard to molecular biology. A dendrogram based on similarity coefficient was generated by using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean. The figures emerging from analysis of combined data (morphology, chemical analyses and molecular biology) support the divergence of morphotype II from the other two types. This ecotype was sampled from two localities only. The prevalence of genetic diversity indicated the presence of ecogeographical variation in this important medicinal plant species.