Assessment of genomic diversity in cardamom by flow cytometry, cytological studies and ISSR analysis

Intraspecific variations in cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton): Assessment of genomic diversity by flow cytometry, cytological studies and ISSR analysis

Article in SpringerPlus 5(1) · September 2016
DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-3226-x

Background
The main goal of the work was to analyse intraspecific variation in Elettaria cardamomum Maton (cardamom) using genome size, cytological studies and molecular marker data. Nuclear DNA content and molecular marker details furnish data on genome size and genetic diversity respectively among the studied accessions and both complement each other for evolutionary and taxonomic studies.

Results
The relative 2C genome size and total number of base pairs of cardamom was determined through flow cytometric analysis using propidium iodide staining. The nuclear DNA content was estimated in various sections of the species representing individuals from wild and cultivar genotypes following Zea mays L. CE-777 (2C = 5.43 pg) as internal reference standard. Chromosome number from growing root tip was examined following standard protocols. Twenty-six ISSR primers that generated polymorphic bands were used for genetic diversity analysis of the thirty accessions of cardamom. Estimated nuclear 2C DNA content ranged from 2.57 to 3.22 pg demonstrating 1.25-fold variation. The mean amount of 2C nuclear DNA of the cardamom was calculated as 2.87 pg which is equivalent of 2806 Mbp as the diploid genome size. The chromosome number was found to be 2n = 48. Among the thirty accessions of cardamom studied using ISSR markers, C53 (feral from Bonacaud) showed a very prominent level of genetic diversity and was lowest for C96 (Avinash-I, a released variety from Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode).

Conclusion
These analyses revealed the existence of genetic variability within the studied cardamom accessions. The plant specimens also differed significantly in their genome size. However, the genetic variability parameters did not show any correlation with genome size.

Get full paper

ISSR and SSR markers reveal sex-specific DNA sequences in three Calamus species from India

Calamus species yields the raw materials for the cane industry. However, the extraction of the cane from the forests is being carried out indiscriminately without considering the sustenance of the species. Plants of both sexes should co-exist for reproductive success. The sex of Calamus plants can be identified only after flowering and hence proper planning of managed forestry practices cannot be accomplished. A study was carried out in this background and male specific ISSR markers for C. tenuis and C. flagellumand SSR markers for C. thwaitesii were identified. The diagnostic potential of these markers can be exploited to sex the Calamus species at the seedling stage for proper breeding and agroforestry management.

This article has just been published:

Title ISSR and SSR markers reveal sex-specific DNA sequences in three Calamus species from India Journal Agroforestry Systems, (), 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s10457-016-9952-9

This article is available as 'Online First':  http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10457-016-9952-9

Genetic diversity in bamboo germplasm in TBGRI using ISSR markers

Bambusetum in Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute (TBGRI) has 660 accessions of Bamboos belonging to 60 species spread across 12 hectares of land area. The collection includes species mainly from the Western Ghats, north-eastern region of India, South East Asia and a few cultivated ones. 

Inter-single sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used as a tool to analyze natural genetic variations within 10 bamboo species (Bambusa balcooa, B. bambos, B. tulda, B. vulgaris, Cephalostachyum pergracile, Dendrocalamus brandisii, D. giganteus, D. hamiltonii, D. strictus and Ochlandra travancorica) were collected from TBGRI bamboosetum.

Genetic analysis revealed high level of natural genetic variation between individuals in most of the bamboo species.