Genetic diversity using RAPD markers, mineral composition and their correlation in selected local landraces of finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.]

Twelve local cultivars of finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] were evaluated for their molecular diversity and mineral composition. Twelve selected RAPD primers generated 162 amplified fragments with an average of 13.5 bands per primer and 86.08% polymorphism. The average PIC, EMR, MI and RP values were 0.30, 5.79, 1.75 and 5.97 respectively, per primer. The Jaccard’s similarity coefficient values ranged from 0.44 to 0.67. The dendrogram grouped 12 finger millet cultivars into three distinctive groups based on their divergence analysis which indicates that significant genetic diversity was present among the cultivars. Among the major elements, average calcium content was found to be highest in all the cultivars followed by sodium, sulphur and nitrogen. The average content of manganese was followed by zinc and iron between the minor elements. The correlation studies between genetic diversity using Shannon diversity index and mineral content showed positive correlation among all the minerals studied excluding nitrogen. Genetic diversity combined with mineral datasets will be useful for selection of suitable cultivars for improvement of nutritional values in finger millet varieties through conventional and molecular breeding approaches. © 2019, Society for Plant Research.