Molecular characterization of selected Eucalyptus clones

Abstract

In the present study, molecular characterization of 11 Eucalyptus clones was done using 20 SSR markers, which confirmed the diverseness among the clones, particularly the clone K-25 was distinguishable from the other clones. Out of 20 SSR markers, 14 were found to be polymorphic and six were monomorphic. PIC value of marker EMBRA59 (0.89) was recorded maximum. A dendrogram based on UPGMA clustering method was developed with the help of NTSYS-pc 2.02 which categorized the clones into two major clusters i.e., Cluster I and Cluster II. Cluster I was further divided into two sub cluster Ia and cluster Ib. Cluster Ib was again bifurcated into clade Ib1 and clade Ib2. Cluster Ia had two genotypes i.e., Clone K-23 and clone K-68 whereas, cluster Ib had eight clones with clade Ib1 having clone K-16, AP-7, G-22, K-24, K-28 and 413, wherein clone K-24 and K-28 are close in similarity. On the other hand clade Ib2 has clones K-43 and K-68. Cluster II have a single genotype which is clone K-25. This information can be utilized further to develop hybrids and for commercial cultivation to enlarge the already existing genetic base.