Genetic diversity analysis of selected Onion (Allium cepa L.) germplasm using specific RAPD and ISSR polymorphism markers

The rationale of the present study was to group nine cultivars of onion (Allium cepa L.), to determine their important traits and decipher their genetic variation. Methodology includes morphological observation, biochemical determination, genetic similarity and diversity using molecular markers of RAPD and ISSR in nine onion cultivars. In PCA studies, it was clearly observed that the germination percentage, root length, seedling length and plumule length were contributing most to the separation among the cultivars. Genetic diversity studies revealed that among 18 RAPD's 10 primers displayed specificity and produced a total of 52 amplified polymorphic fragments. In ISSR analysis, among 10 ISSR's 6 primers generated 28 variable polymorphic band patterns. The 16 primers of RAPD and ISSR discriminated nine cultivars into two groups by the method of UPGMA. Single cultivar Agrifound rose specified in group-I rest of all separated to another group. We conclude that phenotypic, genetic and biochemical variability of studied onion cultivars could boost the onion breeding programs. The cultivars exhibited statistically significant variability, which gives an opportunity to use them for varietal development through breeding programs. The key findings of the current study would be an insight for breeding strategies in onion cultivars