Molecular Diversity of CMS, Restorer Lines and Selective Hybrids in Pearl Millet [pennisetum glaucum (1.) Br. R.] based on Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

Molecular studies revealed the high genetic diversity in CMS, Restorer lines and selective hybrids by using RAPD analysis The genotype specific amplification profile was observed with minimum of 12 polymorphic amplicons by ICMA 95222 genotype and a maximum of 18 amplification with ICMA 92777 genotype across seven primers for CMS lines The polymorphism shown by seven CMS varied from 44 45 to 72 00 per cent Among the restores, IPC 1657, IPC 1658 and IPC 1964 showed great divergence from others Seven RAPD primers of OP-D series (OP-D 6, OP-D 9, OP-D 10, OP-D 12, OP-D 13, OP-D 14 and OP-D 15) were able to distinguish all the seven male sterile and thirteen restorer genotypes The genotype specific amplification profile was observed with minimum of 12 polymorphic amplicons by ICMA 95222 x J 2340 and a maximum of 18 amplification with ICMA 94555 x J 2340 across four primers and among the five selective hybrids The polymorphism shown by hybrids varied from 76 47 to 87 50 per cent A high genetic diversity is observed in pearl millet genotypes and discriminated all from each other Molecular investigation has considerable importance in crop improvement programme and can help in identifying parents for the best hybrid combinations and cataloging the genetic diversity in the breeding material without any limitations of environmental influences associated with the conventional breeding programme The importance of these results is useful not only in making preliminary predication of yield performance on the basis of molecular diversity but also useful as a tool in identifying gene pools having broad genetic base for further use in pearl millet