Analysis of Genetic Diversity using Cytological Characters and Protein Profiling in Some Medicinal Plants of Solanaceae Family (Research Article)

Author(s): Ravindra Singh and Mahendra Pal Singh

Abstract: Genetic variation of plants/species is very interesting in terms of minimizing genetic vulnerability as well as stabilizing production. In this regard, a study was conducted to assess the genetic diversity among five selected medicinal plants (i.e. Withania somnifera, Solanum xanthocarpum, Capsicum annum, Datura stramonium and Solanum nigrum) of family Solanaceae by using cytological characters viz. mitotic index and protein profiling. Present investigation revealed that Datura stramonium had highest mitotic index i.e. 45.46% meaning that species has highest power of division while Withania somnifera had the lowest 22.50%. Total seed storage protein profiles were also estimated through SDS-PAGE. At protein profile level, total 51 protein bands were recorded, 50 bands show polymorphism (98.04%) and only one band show monomorphism (1.96%). The similarity coefficient calculated based on obtained bands ranged from 0.03 to 0.33. The greatest similarity (0.33) was observed between Solanum xanthocarpum and Capsicum annum, while lowest similarity (0.03) was obtained between Solanum xanthocarpum and Solanum nigrum. Upon UPGMA analysis the dendrogram grouped the five selected medicinal plants into two clusters. Cluster I am comprising of only one species Withania somnifera and cluster II comprising of three species i.e., Datura stramonium, Solanum xanthocarpum and Capsicum annum. While the species Solanum nigrum occupies a distinct group as revealed in the dendrogram. It is evident from the dendrogram that the species Solanum xanthocarpum and Solanum nigrum are genetically diverse, hence it is recommended that these species could be utilized for future breeding programs to create higher amount of genetic variability in selected medicinal plants.

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