Molecular characterization of Jamun (Syzygium cumini L. Skeels) genetic resources

Abstract

Jambul (Syzygium cumini) is an evergreen tropical tree in the flowering plant family Myrtaceae, and is native to Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Systematic breeding and propagation has not been done in this crop until now. The variation observed may result from seed propagation with the J-22 selection being the most dissimilar from other accessions in that it is unique in being seedless. At the same time J-36 was found to occupy a separate cluster from the other two. In the present study, good differentiation and diverse genetic bases of Indian accessions has been demonstrated. The dendogram analysis shows clearly grouped accessions by different geographical regions. Plant improvement, either by natural selection or through the effort of breeders has always relied upon creating, evaluating, and selecting the right combination of alleles. The manipulation of a large number of genes is often required for improvement of even the simplest of characteristics. In the present study, OPZ9 and OPA12 primers detected a small difference between these selections. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.