DNA fingerprinting and genetic diversity analysis of chilli germplasm using microsatellite markers

Microsatellite markers are useful tools for evaluating genetic diversity and DNA fingerprinting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity within 22 chilli germplasm by using four microsatellite markers. All the microsatellite loci amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were found polymorphic in all studied germplasm. A total of 27 alleles were detected and the number of alleles per marker ranged from 4-13. Based on Nei's genetic distance, the Unweighted Pair Group Method of Arithmetic Means (UPGMA) dendrogram grouped 22 chilli germplasm into 3 clusters; fifteen varieties Bogra morich BD-2043, Balijuri morich BD-2082, Kamranga morich, Tinn Tahori morich, Kalo morich, Angoor morich, Shada morich, Balujurii morich, BD-2011, BD-2035, BD-2005, Pepsicum morich, Dhani morich were grouped in cluster 1; Bindi morich, Altaf morich, Boro morich, BD-2025 were formed cluster 2 and Comilla morich, Sada gol morich and Ruma morich formed cluster 3. The values of pair-wise comparisons of Nei (1972) Genetic Distance (GD) between varieties were computed from combined data for the 4 primers and ranged from 0.704-0.926. The higher genetic distance indicated that these varieties were derived from different origin and could be utilized in breeding programme for traits of interest. From the difference between the highest and the lowest GD value, it was revealed that there were wide variabilities among 22 chilli varieties and genotypes. Higher genetic variability within varieties and significant difference between varieties indicate rich genetic material of a species. Thus microsatellite markers offer a potential, simple, rapid and reliable DNA fingerprinting method to evaluate genetic variation among the chilli germplasm. The findings of the present study have the potential applications in future breeding programme for the genetic improvement of chilli. © 2014 Asian Network for Scientific Information.