Title : Assessment of genetic diversity in banana cultivars fron India
Abstract:
Bananas are the fourth most significant crop, after rice, wheat, and maize. It is the main source of income for those living in rural areas and is regarded as a staple food by millions of people worldwide. It also makes a substantial contribution to the reduction of poverty especially in developing nations. They contain vitamins A, C, and B6, and are a fantastic source of energy and nutrients. There is a wide range of edible banana cultivars in India, especially in the northeast and south. Thus, describing and understanding this vast diversity is essential to the ongoing efforts to improve banana and plantain. Microsatellites are among the most appropriate markers for assessing pedigree, population structure, genetic variation, and diversity. In order to evaluate the genetic diversity among Indian banana cultivars, belonging to different genome groups, thirty-four species-specific microsatellite markers were screened during the present study. Of these, thirty primers were successfully amplified and yielded distinct and repeatable DNA fragments at ideal annealing temperatures. Data analysis using Popgene 1.32 version revealed a high level of genetic diversity among the cultivars.
