Sex detection in micropropagated plants and natural seedlings of Garcinia indica using RAPD and ISSR markers

Abstract

Garcinia indica (Kokum) is an economically important endemic tree species of the Western Ghats region of India. It has three sex types viz. male, female and bisexual that could be identified only at the emergence of flowers after seven to eight years of vegetative growth. RAPD and ISSR markers were used for the detection of sex (male or female) in micropropagated plants and natural seedling populations of G. indica. Amplification of genomic DNA using primers RAPD OPT 01 (5'-GGGCCACTCA-3') and ISSR UBC 881 (5'-GGGTGGGGTGGGGTG-3') have produced a specific band in standard male plants and that particular band was absent in female plants. Hence, these two primers were used for screening large number of tissue cultured plants and natural seedling populations. The results indicated the presence of specific band in some of the tissue cultured plants and as well as in the natural seedlings indicating them as male plants, while this specific band was absent in remaining plants screened indicating them as female. Determination of sex in seedlings stage of G. indica is essential to establish desired ratio of male and female plants in field for large scale cultivation.