RAPD and issr markers for molecular characterization of teak (Tectona grandis) plus trees

RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) and ISSR (inter simple sequence repeats) markers were used to study DNA polymorphism of 48 assorted accessions (plus trees) of Tectona grandis at the National Teak Germplasm Bank, Chandrapur, India. In general, the germplasm exhibited a very high level of molecular diversity and DNA polymorphism Molecular diversity based on Jaccard's similarity coefficients among 48 plus trees ranged from 0.31-0.85 in RAPD assay and 0.27-0.88 in ISSR assay. RAPD primers amplified more loci than ISSR primers. However, RAPD and ISSR primers amplified 93.2 and 95.9% polymorphic loci respectively. Jaccard's similarity coefficient matrices for both molecular marker systems exhibited a poor correlation (r = 0.36) among themselves and clustering pattern of plus trees did not strictly follow their territorial distribution, possibly due to frequent movement of seeds/planting stocks across localities/regions. From application point of view, RAPD primers amplified several loci specific to 16 plus trees while ISSR primers, few loci specific to three plus trees. These loci can be sequenced and developed into SCAR (sequence characterized amplification region) markers for genotype fingerprinting or development of specific DNA probes for identification of clones or ramets of teak.