Assessment of genetic diversity using morphological and molecular markers in traditional cultivars of Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an economically important tropical and subtropical fruit crop consumed worldwide. Alloploidy, nature of cross-pollination and a wide range of predominant agro-ecologies of the country have contributed large genetic diversity of mango in India. The present study assessed 16 traditional mango cultivars to get a unique insight on cultivars' diversity through deploying integration of both morphological and molecular markers. The cultivars were appraised for consecutive two years under the aegis of All India Coordinated Research Project on Fruits, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV), Gayeshpur, West Bengal regarding observation on 26 morphological and fruit quality parameters followed by assessing diversity at molecular level through deploying 20 SSR makers. Presence of adequate genetic variability was reflected for all the tested traits. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) ascertained seven PCs towards contribution of more than 84.25% genetic diversity harbored by the tested cultivars. Out of 20 SSRs, 8 microsatellites were amplified and produced 27 putative alleles in 16 cultivars. Genetic divergence through multivariate analysis, as well as through UPGMA dendrograms, classified 16 mango cultivars into five major clusters, though, the cluster composition was different. The dendrogram affirmed that the highest similarity (88%) was observed in between Ranipasand and Gulab Khas. Sharing of common gene pool coupled with exertion of similar selection pressure during domestication as well as selection of cultivars in this region exhibited similar tradition.