Assessment of genetic variation in Indian dill a graveolens germplasm using SSR and RAPD molecular markers

Abstract

Dill (Anethum graveolens L.), a valuable member of the Apiaceae family, holds significant newlineeconomic, medicinal, and culinary importance in India. The genetic improvement and sustainable newlineutilization of dill require a comprehensive understanding of its genetic diversity. The present study newlineaimed to assess the genetic variation among a diverse collection of Indian dill germplasm using newlinetwo complementary molecular marker systems: Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) and Random newlineAmplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). A total of [number] dill accessions representing diverse newlineagro-ecological regions of India were collected and subjected to DNA extraction using a modified newlineCTAB protocol. newlineA set of polymorphic SSR markers, developed from dill and related Apiaceae species, was newlineemployed to evaluate allelic diversity, gene diversity, and polymorphic information content (PIC) newlinevalues. In parallel, a selected panel of RAPD primers was used to generate polymorphic banding newlinepatterns, enabling the detection of genome-wide variability. The combined use of SSR and RAPD newlinemarkers allowed for a more robust and comprehensive assessment of genetic variation, as SSRs newlineprovided locus-specific, co-dominant information, while RAPDs contributed broader genome newlinecoverage through dominant markers. newlineThe molecular data were analyzed using cluster analysis (UPGMA), Principal Coordinate newlineAnalysis (PCoA), and Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA). The results revealed substantial newlinegenetic variability among the studied germplasm, with [X%] polymorphism for SSRs and [Y%] newlinefor RAPDs. Genetic distance values indicated the presence of distinct sub-groups, which were newlinepartially consistent with the geographical origin of the accessions. AMOVA demonstrated that a newlinesignificant proportion of the total genetic variation was attributable to differences within newlinepopulations rather than between regions, highlighting the presence of rich intra-population newlinediversity. newlineThe findings of this study provide valuable insights into the genetic structure of Indian dill newlinegermplasm, which can be effectively