ISSN 2375-1177
African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN 2375-1177 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 248-254, May, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
RAPD analysis of genetic diversity of Chinese F1 cultivated Melon (Cucumis melo L)
J.N. Wolukau, R.M. Gesimba, J.K.Nyamari, J.F. Chen and X.H. Zhou
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536, Njoro, Kenya.
Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 09 February, 2017
Abstract
The genetic relationships among 40 melon (C. melo L.) genotypes, mostly F1 hybrids of varietal group melo were assessed by analyzing 96 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) bands generated by 37 primers. A relatively high level of polymorphism (24.7%) was revealed. The mean genetic distance among the genotypes was 0.361. There was a higher level of genetic variation among the landraces (GD 0.401) than among the hybrids (GD 0.361). The lowest level of genetic variation was recorded among the PIs maintained at USDA (GD 0.262). The relatively high level of genetic variation revealed from this small sample warrants further investigation to provide information leading to more effective strategies and goals for hybridization and long term germplasm management.
Key words: Genetic relationship; genetic distance; germplasm management; RAPD, DNA.