Genetic Diversity in Drumstick of Andaman Islands and Their Relatedness with Probable Introduction Sites from Mainland India

The study investigated genetic diversity in Moringa oleifera Lam. samples (63) from nine islands in Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India) and their relatedness with samples (5) from their probable source regions in mainland India. The polymerase chain reaction analysis with polymorphic random fragment polymorphic DNA (RAPD) (5) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) (20) markers generated 987 and 4190 amplicons, respectively. The RAPD analysis resulted into two main and eight sub-clusters and ISSR markers generated two main and five sub-clusters. Extent of similarity in 68 samples was revealed to be 49% by RAPDs to 53% by ISSR markers. Average polymorphism information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.47 to 0.50 for the studied markers. Maximum collections from the islands were grouped along with samples from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala which suggest high level of genetic relatedness. The information on influence of ‘isle factor’ in genetic divergence of introduced drumsticks is useful for continuance of studies on genetic changes for adaptation.