MOLECULAR GENETIC DIVERSITY IN GREENGRAM (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek).

DNA markers were used to characterize the genetic diversity among the germplasm and considered as a promising tool for better understanding of genetic relatedness among the cross derivatives and helps in exploitation of greengram germplasm. The degree of polymorphism exhibited by amplified SSR markers was 50 per cent reflecting the high genetic diversity among the germplasm with 2.47 alleles per marker. The dendrogram based on the Unweighted Pair Group Method using Arithmetic average (UPGMA) hierarchical clustering pattern revealed the 37 genotypes into eight major clusters. All the cultivated genotypes of greengram were grouped together (I), wild progenitor species Vigna radiata var. sublobata/2 and its derivatives were grouped together (II), whereas all other wild species formed into a separate group (III). The clustering pattern observed in the present study revealed the high level of molecular variability and could be used in the improvement of greengram and determines the genetic relationship among the germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]