Molecular diversity analysis and biochemical profiling of Sri Lankan and Indian tea genotypes

Abstract

newline The present investigation entitled, Molecular diversity analysis and biochemical newlineprofiling of Sri Lankan and Indian tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) genotypes newlinewas undertaken with the objectives of molecular and biochemical characterization of newlineSri Lankan and Indian tea germplasm and identification of potential genotypes to newlineexpedite its genetic improvement. Total of 171 tea genotypes comprising 94 Sri newlineLankan and 77 Indian genotypes were used to assess molecular diversity. Based on 16 newlinemorphological characters, first three principal components explained 57.61 % and newline58.43 % of the total variability of Sri Lankan and Indian genotypes, respectively. newlineYoung shoot colour recorded the highest Shannon s index (H =1.14) and (H =1.16) newlineamong morphological descriptors of Sri Lankan and Indian genotypes, respectively. newlineBased on biochemical characterization, genotypes viz. PBGT35, PBGT48, PBGT53 newlineand PBGT71 recorded low caffeine content. Total of 28 polymorphic SSRs i.e.10 newlineunigenic SSRs and 18 functionally relevant SSR amplified 94 different alleles and newlinewere developed for molecular diversity and population structure analysis. Based on newlinethe SSR data of 171 accessions, all Sri Lankan genotypes were grouped in a single newlinecluster whereas Indian genotypes were grouped in two distinct clusters through newlinestructure analysis and principle coordinate analysis (PCoA). Five core collections newlinewere developed by different methods. Based on the evaluation parameters, the core newlinecollection derived using Gower s method was the most representative method of the newlineinitial collections of Sri Lanka and India. Among selected 21 Sri Lankan core newlinegenotypes, 11 accessions belong to introductions followed by 5 TRI developed newlinecultivars and 5 estate selections. Among selected 18 Indian core genotypes, 11 newlineaccessions are of China types followed by 2 Assam types and 5 recommended newlinecultivars. newline