Genetic Variation Study Using Morphological and DNA Marker-Based Genotyping in Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.)

Abstract

Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.) bearing chromosome no.  2n = 22, is an annual monoecious crop synonymously called as the white-flowered gourd or calabash gourd. For the above investigation twenty-four genotypes collected from various states adjoining Bihar including breeding lines collected and maintained at the department were analysed for genetic variability study and DNA marker-based genotyping analysis using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. In morphological study genotypes performed significantly in all traits studied, however, BRBG-65 was found to be high yielder per hectare with supporting traits like the yield of marketable fruits per plant and no. of fruits per vine than compare to the all three check varieties used in present study. Traits like fruit length, fruit circumference, no. of fruits per vine, the yield of marketable fruits per vine, no. of seeds per fruit and yield per hectare exhibited high GCV and PCV. Almost all traits under study shown high percentage of heritability with maximum high advancement percentage for characters like fruit length, fruit circumference, average fruit weight, no. of fruits per vine, yield of marketable fruits per vine, no. of seeds per fruit and yield per hectare. Traits like average fruit weight, no. of fruits plant and yield of marketable fruits per plant were shown strong character association with yield per hectare. During molecular genotyping fifty RAPD primers were employed to screen out the polymorphic primers for use in genetic diversity assessment among these ten primers found to be polymorphic. RAPD amplicons per primer ranged from 3 to 11 and varied in bp size too. UPGMA cluster analysis grouped 24 genotypes into 2 main clusters (similarity coefficient = 0.46). Cluster-1 contained 5 genotypes which is again sub-grouped into two subgroups, one genotype named BRBG 52-2 grouped singly whereas other subgroup contained 4 genotypes whereas cluster 2 contained 19 genotypes. Jaccard’s similarity coefficient was ranged from 0.46 to 0.86. The genotypes examined from the study were genetically distinct could be utilised as a diverse parent in hybridisation programme or as direct selection and may yield useful segregants by virtue of the high level of heterosis.