Assessment of genetic fidelity of long term micropropagated shoot cultures of <em>Achras sapota</em> L. var. ‘Cricket Ball’ as assessed by RAPD and ISSR markers

Abstract

RAPD and ISSR molecular markers were employed to evaluate genetic fidelity of shoots of <em>Achras</em> <em>sa</em><em>pota </em>L. var. ‘Cricket Ball’ raised through nodal bud cultures. Out of 53 RAPD and 60 ISSR primers screened, 34 RAPD and 20 ISSR primers generated a total of 270 and 120 clear and scorable amplification products, respectively. All the shoot cultures analyzed at different culture passages showed similar RAPD and ISSR profiles as compared to that of mother plant. No genetic variation was observed in <em>in vitro</em> shoot cultures. The results indicated the genetic stability of the tissue culture raised shoot cultures of <em>A</em>. <em>sapota</em> and corroborate the assumption that axillary multiplication is the safest mode for multiplication of true to type plants without any somaclonal variation.