Detection of genetic variability among chrysanthemum radiomutants using RAPD markers

Eleven radiomutants from two chrysanthemum cultivars Ajay and Thai Chen Queen were characterized by RAPD to understand the extent of diversity and relatedness. Out of 40 random primers screened, 21 gave reproducible polymorphic bands. PCR product of radio-mutant genome revealed a total of 156 bands, out of which 118 were found to be polymorphic. Cluster analysis of the radio-mutants; indicated that they fell into three major groups. Yellow and Bright Orange mutants derived from cv. Thai Chen Queen have been placed in a separate group, indicating their high genetic diversity from the rest of the mutants and parents. The study revealed that RAPD molecular markers can be used to assess polymorphism among the radio-mutants and can be a useful tool to supplement the distinctness, uniformity and stability analysis for plant variety protection in future.