Gender-based Genetic Variability of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb, Populations Using, RAPD, ISSR and SCoT Markers

Abstract

Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. is an economically important and multipurpose dioecious tree species of India, mainly used for fodder and timber. Gender-based genetic diversity of five populations of two sites (Jodhpur, Rajasthan and Deesa, Gujarat) of A. excelsa was assessed. A total of 42 RAPD, 20 ISSR and 23 SCoT primers were screened for DNA amplification of 232 individuals. Out of which only 25 primers (13 RAPD, 6 ISSR and 6 SCoT) were found polymorphic. The SCoT markers were showed the highest value for PIC, MI, Rp value, Nei’s gene diversity and Shannon’s index, as compared with the other two markers. Female individuals in all five populations had slightly higher genetic diversity as compared with male individuals. A high level of genetic diversity (55%) was detected within the populations of male and female individuals. High gene flow (6.70) and low genetic differentiation (0.069) values were found between Jodhpur and Deesa sites. Principal component analysis for all populations were accounted for 48.7% of the genetic variation. The Mantel test showed significant correlation (R = 0.178, P = .01) between genetic and geographic distances. The present study showed that SCoT markers were best for genetic diversity assessment in A. excelsa over RAPD and ISSR markers. High gene flow and low genetic differentiation in A. excelsa indicates its poor population fragmentation despite long geographic distances.