Genetic diversity within the genus Solanum (Solanaceae) as revealed by RAPD markers

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used as a tool for assessing genetic diversity and species relationships among 28 accessions of eggplant representing five species. Twenty-eight samples of eggplants were collected from different parts of the country. A total of 144 polymorphic amplified products were obtained from 14 decamer primers, which discriminated all the accessions. The value of Jaccard's coefficient ranged from 0.05 to 0.82. The similarity result indicates presence of high level of genetic diversity in eggplants and a dendrogram constructed by UPGMA method shows that S. incanum is closest to S. melongena followed by S. nigrum. Only one accession of S. nigrum and S. surattense was taken in the present study that showed grouping with each other. Genetically distinct genotypes identified using RAPD markers could be potential sources of germplasm for eggplant improvement.