Genetic Variation of Isozyme Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) Profiles in Different Varieties of Capsicum annuum L.

Abstract

The genus Capsicum commonly known as chilli pepper is a major spice crop and is of cosmopolitan in distribution. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Native PAGE) was used to study the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) isozyme variation in 21 varieties of Capsicum annuum L. A maximum of 4 PPO bands were scored in five varieties i.e., Ca14, Ca15, Ca16, Ca19 & Ca20, while the minimum (2 bands) was observed in four varieties (Ca3, Ca10, Ca13 & Ca17). 15 pair wise combinations showed highest average per cent similarity (100%) and the UPGMA dendrogram represented low genetic diversity. The present study revealed that considerable intraspecific differences were found in the varieties. Thus the results obtained could be used in fingerprinting the genotypes.