Genetic divergence among Curcuma longa L. accessions

Genetic diversity of turmeric germplasm (Curcuma longa; Zingiberaceae) identified by microsatellite markers

“…Previously, Pinheiro et al (2003) and Cintra et al (2005) reported that the genetic variability of turmeric from Brazil is quite low. Even though their studies involved fewer accessions than the present investigation, all results suggest that most of the genetic variation occurs within the states where the crop is cultivated.…”

“…Among these materials from São Paulo, IAC(-) and IAC6(+) have already been previously reported as the most divergent turmeric genotypes in Brazil, even at the phenotypic level (Cintra et al, 2005). These genotypes are the result of germplasm selection with low and high levels of curcumin (color pigment).…”

Genetic divergence among Brazilian turmeric germplasm using morpho-agronomical descriptors

“…This shortcoming was also observed by Pinheiro et al (2003) and Cintra et al (2005), who suggested that this low genetic variability might be limiting the yield potential of the largest producing region in Brazil. However, it was possible to identify some divergent accessions within the Mara Rosa region: MR2, MR19, SR and GOI.…”

“…In the same way as other studies, these characteristics can be regarded as the most important to discriminate turmeric accessions (Linrah et al 1998, Chandra et al 1997, Singh et al 2003. On the other hand, Cintra et al (2005) suggested that these descriptors together contributed to only 16.52 % of the evaluation of genetic divergence. According to these authors, most important were the curcumin content and the total dry weight.…”

“…Pinheiro et al (2003) were the first to evaluate the genetic diversity of this collection using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers (RAPD) to screen 20 accessions. The genetic divergence among these accessions was later estimated in field experiments by Cintra et al (2005). As a result, both studies found a low genetic variability in the collection, suggesting that the introduction of new accessions should be a priority.…”