Genetic diversity in Nigerian brinjal eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) as revealed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

Abstract

The taxonomy of Solanum melongena L., also known as brinjal eggplant, has remained difficult because previous studies to establish genetic relationships among taxa are mainly based on morphological features, which are insufficient to establish genetic affinities. In the present investigation, five highly polymorphic random amplified polymorphic DNA primers were used to describe the genetic similarity and diversity among its accessions in Nigeria. The results show a high level of polymorphism based on the banding patterns among the samples. This indicated a wide and diverse genetic base. Four distinct clusters were equally noticeable at a coefficient of 0.80 from the dendrogram generated. Generally, the grouping pattern clearly indicates that irrespective of variations in fruit traits among samples, they were still grouped together in different clusters with a high similarity coefficient value. This probably showed some genetic relatedness/closeness among the samples concerned. The study also revealed that there is no association between RAPD pattern and the geographic origin of accessions. These agreed with previously published data on the characterization of eggplant. The study disclosed that molecular methods coupled with morphological analyses could make proper classification of S. melongena and other Solanum species in Nigeria possible to achieve.

Genetic variability of Indonesian eggplant (Solanum melongena) based on ISSR markers

“…Based on dendrogram (Figure 3) we knew that also clustering wasn't in accordance with the collection area of eggplant, it can be seen in cluster B that accession from Sulawesi (K93) and NTB (K82) joined with accessions from Java, Sumatra, and Kalimantan. Some similar result ware also found in Mao et al (2006) were analyzing genetic diversity of Southern Chinese long-eggplant cultivars using ISSR markers the result is 57 eggplant cultivars divided into 6 groups that had no connection with regions of cultivars origin, Sifau et al (2014) analyzing genetic variation using the RAPD marker also states that grouping is not related to the origin area of eggplant accession and study by Sari et al (2018) using RAPD markers show that edible canna (Canna indica L.) in Indonesia divided into cultivar group based on morphological characters and was not influenced by geographical origin. Caguiat and Hautea (2014) also analyzed genetic variation of eggplant using SSR markers, they found that eggplant formed 3 groups that not related to the origin area of eggplant namely wild eggplant groups, cultivar groups, and landraces groups.…”

“…A dendrogram constructed by UPGMA cluster analysis from the ISSR data showing genetic relationship among accessions with similarity coefficient ranging from 0.661-0.881 ( Figure 3). Sifau et al (2014) indicating a fairly wide and diverse genetic base with high-level polymorphism and similarity coefficient ranging from 0.74 to 0.94 of Nigerian eggplant using RAPD markers. Marsolais et al (1993) suggested that range of similarity coefficient 0.50 using RAPD may be implied the occurrence of interspecific hybrid, while range between 0.61-0.99 could suggest genetic similarity at the species level in Lilac.…”

“…The most appropriate genetic marker has depended on the specific application, the presumed level of polymorphism, the presence of sufficient technical facilities and financial limitations. The earlier studies in eggplant using molecular markers are restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers (Isshiki et al 1998;Isshiki et al 2003), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers (Mace et al 1999;Nunome et al 2001;Furini and Wunder 2004), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers (Karihaloo et al 1995;Sifau et al 2014;Asad et al 2015), and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers (Tümbİlen et al 2009;Sunseri et al 2010;Caguiat and Hautea 2014). These methods have major limitations, there is low reproducibility of RAPD, high cost of AFLP/RFLP and the need to know the flanking sequences to develop species-specific primers for SSR polymorphism (Reddy et al 2002;Kumar et al 2009).…”

Morpho-genetic diversity and anti-bacterial activity in root extracts of nine solanaceous species

“…Analysis of genetic polymorphism is an efficient tool for the utilization and conservation of plant genetic resources because morphological keys are effective only for a particular stage of life (Sifau et al, 2014). The medicinal plants such as ginger, ginseng, bamboo and moringa have been characterized using DNA barcoding loci (Cortese et al, 2010).…”

“…The morphological traits are also affected by micro climatic conditions although samples were collected from the same province. Therefore molecular methods coupled with morphological analysis are preferred for proper germplasm characterization and conservation (Sifau et al, 2014). Morphological features are inadequate to establish a genetic relationship especially for the species like Solanum, which are capable of crossing with more distant species (Daunay et al, 1999).…”