Genetic analysis of Jatropha species and interspecific hybrids of Jatropha curcas using nuclear and organelle specific markers

The present study aims at characterization of Jatropha species occurring in India using nuclear and organelle specific primers for supporting interspecific gene transfer. DNA from 34 accessions comprising eight agronomically important species (Jatropha curcas, J. gossypifolia, J. glandulifera, J. integerrima, J. podagrica, J. multifida, J. villosa, J. villosa. var. ramnadensis, J. maheshwarii) and a natural hybrid, J. tanjorensis were subjected to molecular analysis using 200 RAPD, 100 ISSR and 50 organelle specific microsatellite primers from other angiosperms. The nuclear marker systems revealed high interspecific genetic variation (98.5% polymorphism) corroborating with the morphological differentiation of the species used in the study. Ten organelle specific microsatellite primers resulted in single, discrete bands of which three were functional disclosing polymorphism among Jatropha species. The PCR products obtained with organelle specific primers were subjected to sequence analysis. PCR products from two consensus chloroplast microsatellite primer pairs (ccmp6 and 10) revealed variable number of T and A residues in the intergenic regions of ORF 77–ORF 82 and rp12–rps19 regions, respectively in Jatropha. Artificial hybrids were produced between J. curcas and all Jatropha species used in the study with the exception of J. podagrica. Characterization of F1 hybrids using polymorphic primers specific to the respective parental species confirmed the hybridity of the interspecific hybrids. Characterization of both natural and artificially produced hybrids using chloroplast specific markers revealed maternal inheritance of the markers. While the RAPD and ISSR markers confirmed J. tanjorensis as a natural hybrid between J. gossypifolia and J. curcas, the ccmp primers (ccmp6 and 10) unequivocally established J. gossypifolia as the maternal parent. Evaluation of backcross interspecific derivatives of cross involving J. curcas and J. integerrima indicate scope for prebreeding and genetic enhancement of Jatropha curcas through interspecific hybridization.