Analysis of Genetic Diversity amongIxoraCultivars (Rubiaceae) using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA

We have optimized the genomic DNA extraction method from freshand dry laminas, as well as fresh and dry corolla lobes ofIxoracultivars.Some woody tropical species such as these contain excessiveamounts of phenolic compounds that co-precipitate with DNA resultingin poor or no amplification during the polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Repeated precipitation with CsCl coupled with phenol:chloroformextraction yielded high quality DNA suitable for consistentPCR amplification. The DNA from fresh laminas of 22 cultivarsofIxorawas subjected to random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)analysis. Individual taxa could be identified using specificDNA markers from the RAPD profiles. Cluster analysis of datafrom six primers grouped all 22 cultivars distinctly under twocultivar groups, viz.,IxoraCoccinea andI.Javanica. The percentagegenetic similarity was calculated for all the cultivars basedon the RAPD data. The two cultivar groups and the outgroup plantswere also clearly distinguishable with polar ordination usinga matrix of genetic dissimilarities (one minus similarity).Our data indicate that besides the use of RAPD markers for identificationof particularIxoracultivars within a germplasm collection, thephylogenetic relationships generated by RAPD analysis may beuseful for future breeding programmes. IxoraL. cultivars; Rubiaceae; RAPD fingerprinting; DNA extraction; woody tropical species