Genetic Diversity of Genus <I>Diospyros</I> in Southern Thailand Using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) Technique

Abstract

The study is to assess genetic diversity among 96 samples of Diospyros collected from southern Thailand (Chumphon, Surathani, Thang, Phatthalung and Songkhla province). Total 96 samples of 16 species and 2 unknown were first identified by morphological characteristics.  RAPD markers (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) were then used to assess the genetic variation of the populations. In observation of leaf morphology, the differences of leaf venation were found. Total of sixty 10-base oligonucleotide primers for RAPD were first screened, and 8 primers were chosen to assess genetic variation among samples. From total 168 fragments generated by those primers, 167 were polymorphism (99.40%). Genetic similarities and relationships among 96 samples were estimated and a cluster analysis was performed using NTSYS program (Version 2.1). We found that genetic similarity among samples ranged from 0.404-0.994 with an average 0.580. The dendrogram showed that the 96 individuals were classified into four groups that clearly separated each species. From 16 species studied, the most similarity was found between D. areolata and D. philippensis while the most distance was between D. diepenhorstii and D. wallichii. The 2 unknown were found to be closer to D. decandra than other species.