Genetic diversity of Gloriosa superba from southern India based on chemical profiling, horticultural traits and RAPD analysis Gopi Ragupathi Department of Botany, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar–608 002, Tamil Nadu, INDIA. E-mail: suriyagopi@gmail.com Abstract-Genetic, morphological and chemical variations of Gloriosa superba Linn from South India were assessed using RAPD markers, colchicine content and morphological traits. An estimate of genetic diversity and differentiation between genotypes of breeding germplasm is of key importance for its improvement. Populations were collected from different geographical regions. Data obtained through three different methods were compared and the correlation among them was estimated. Statistical analysis showed significant differences for all horticultural characteristics among the populations suggesting that selection for relevant characteristics could be possible. Variation in the content of colchicine ranges from 0.192 g/100 g (population from Shimoga) to 1.312 g/100 g (population from Aliyar dam). A high diversity within population and high genetic differentiation among them based on RAPDs were revealed caused both by habitat fragmentation of the low size of most populations and the low level of gene flow among them. The UPGMA dendrogram and PCA analysis based on colchicine content yielded higher separation among populations indicated specific adaptation of populations into clusters each of them including populations close to their geographical origin. Genetic, chemical and morphological data were correlated based on Mantel test. Given the high differentiation among populations conservation strategies should take into account genetic diversity and chemical variation levels in relation to bioclimatic and geographic location of populations. The results also indicate that RAPD approach along with horticultural analysis seemed to be best suited for assessing with high accuracy the genetic relationships among distinct Gloriosa superba populations. I. INTRODUCTION Gloriosa superba L., a climber belonging to the family Liliaceae is a highly valuable medicinal crop. I t is one of the major medicinal plants in India cultivated for its seeds and tubers which are exported to developed countries for pharmaceutical use. In India, it is usually found in Himalayan foot- hills, Central India, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Bengal. Seeds and tubers contain valuable alkaloids, namely, colchicine and colchicoside as the major constituents, used to treat gout and rheumatism, and also for the treatment of bruises, colic, chronic ulcers, haemorrhoids and cancer 1. Gloriosa superba was found in the wild on natural fences a decade back, but now it has been domesticated for economic gain in as 58 Proceedings of the International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Proceedings of International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals : Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016 at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
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