Characterisation of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) Genotypes for Growth, Pod and Seed Characters and Seed Oil using Morphological and Molecular markers

Characterisation of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) Genotypes for Growth, Pod and Seed Characters and Seed Oil using Morphological and Molecular markers.

Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.), popularly known as drumstick, is known for its wide variety of nutraceutical values. Moringa oil has high oleic acid and is edible, and used as a lubricant in watch industry and cosmetic industry. The objective of this study was to record the genetic diversity of thirty four genotypes of Moringa oleifera found in different regions of Tamil Nadu state in India using morphological and molecular markers. Out of 20 SSRs used in this study, 14 provided good amplification, and were used to assess genetic diversity in 34 genotypes of moringa. On an average, number of alleles for 14 SSR markers ranged from 2 to 6. A total of 41 alleles were detected in all samples with a mean number of 5.47 alleles/locus. The SSR MO 10 recorded the highest PIC value (0.84), followed by SSR MO 58 (0.75). The lowest PIC value (0.39) was recorded for SSR MO 18. The mean PIC value was 0.52. Among the 14 primers used for SSR analysis, SSR MO 58 registered the highest number of alleles (6). The characterization resulted in the identification of MO 56 as the superior parent followed by MO 6 and MO 1 for involving in hybridization programme to improve the oil yield.