COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DAMD, ISSR, AND SCOT MOLECULAR MARKERS ON CRYOPRESERVED LUDISIA DISCOLOR AXILLARY BUDS

Abstract

The jewel orchid Ludisia discolor is the only species found under its genus (Ludisia). This wild orchid is well known for its striking foliage and its medicinal benefits. Since the population of this valuable species is becoming scarce, protecting it is crucial. Cryopreservation is a practicable long-term germplasm conservation approach using the V cryo-plate method, which was developed using L. discolor axillary buds under optimum conditions. This study aims to carry out a comparative analysis of DAMD, ISSR, and SCOT molecular markers on cryopreserved L. discolor axillary buds. For the screening of the somaclonal variation, 3 week-old treated (cryopreserved and non-cryopreserved) explants were utilized in comparison with the stock cultures used as a control. The genetic stability was assessed using a total of 20 DAMD, 20 ISSR, and 10 SCoT molecular markers. In this study, the somaclonal variations detected in cryopreserved explant using DAMD, ISSR, and SCoT molecular markers were 12.5, 4.17 and 10.53%, respectively. However, the somaclonal variations detected in non-cryopreserved explants using DAMD, ISSR, and SCoT were 6.15, 5.77 and 10%, respectively. Thus, DAMD and SCoT were chosen as better markers for genetic screening as compared to ISSR.