ISSR Marker Based Genetic Diversity in Morinda Spp. For Its Enhanced Collection, Conservation and Utilization

Abstract

Morinda (Rubiaceae) is considerably recognized for its multiple uses viz. food, medicine, dyes, firewood, tools, oil, bio-sorbent etc. The molecular characterization of such an important plant would be very useful for its multifarious enhanced utilization. In the present study, 31 Morinda genotypes belonging to two different species Morinda citrifolia and Morinda tomentosa collected from different regions of India were investigated using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers. Fifteen ISSR primers generated 176 bands with an average of 11.7 bands per primer, of which (90.34%) were polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic bands, mean Nei’s gene diversity, mean Shannon’s information index in Morinda tomentosa and Morinda citrifolia was [(69.89%, 30.68%); (0.21 ± 0.19, 0.12 ± 0.20); (0.32 ± 0.27 0.17 ± 0.28)] respectively, revealing higher polymorphism and genetic diversity in Morinda tomentosa compared to Morinda citrifolia. Structure, and UPGMA cluster analysis placed the genotypes into well-defined separate clusters belonging to two species Morinda tomentosa and Morinda citrifolia revealing the utility of ISSR markers in species differentiation. Distinct ecotypes within a particular species could also be inferred emphasizing the collection and conservation of Morinda genotypes from different regions, in order to capture the overall diversity of respective species. Further higher diversity of M. tomentosa must be advanced for its utilization in nutraceutical, nutritional and other nonfood purposes.