Molecular characterization of traded black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) from India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia

Molecular profiling (RAPD) and clustering of traded black pepper samples from India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia revealed a comparatively high genetic similarity within the samples from a particular country than between any two countries. The UPGMA dendrogram constructed based on the similarity coefficient revealed a total of four groups in two different clusters. The two Indonesian samples form cluster I, while others form cluster II. The genuine Indian varieties and the traded pepper from India formed separate group in cluster II. Similarly, black pepper from Malaysia and Vietnam also formed distinct groups in cluster II. The aspect of genetic similarity was discussed in relation to the origin and spread of black pepper.