Host induced genetic variation in legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata

Abstract

Aim : The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fab. is one of the major devastating threats to legume production in all pulse producing countries across the globe. However, it is necessary to acknowledge the role ofhost plants on M. vitrata. Methodology: In the present study, the influence of major pulse hosts such as pigeonpea, greengram, blackgram, cowpea and lablab on M. vitrata was studied using RAPD, SSR, COI and Wolbachia specific primers. Results : The results clearly revealed that RAPD primers produced 422 (100.0 % polymorphism) polymorphic alleles, whereas SSR primers produced 95 polymorphic alleles with the mean number of alleles detected/primer ranging from 9 to 16 and this showed the existence ofwide genetic diversity. Dendrograms constructed using similarity index values for RAPD and SSR primers grouped the larval samples from abovepulsesinto8and6 clusters respectively. Larvae of M. vitrata also yielded specific fragments with mitochondrial COI primer (~800 bp). Additionally, presence of Wolbachia was also confirmed with specific primers. Interpretation : The present study clearly indicated the existenceofcloseproximityin the larval population of cowpea and lablab than other hosts.