Characterization of marigold (Tagetes spp.) genotypes using SDS-PAGE and RAPD markers

Nine genotypes of marigold, selected from two species, Tagetes erecta L. (3 genotypes) and Tagetes patula L. (6 genotypes), were characterized through electrophoresis of protein and using RAPD markers. The SDS-PAGE electrophoresis of total seed soluble proteins revealed 16 bands with Rm value ranging from 0.07 to 0.67. A polymorphism of 68% was recorded among nine genotypes of marigold. The highest dissimilarity was recorded between MG-1 and MG-5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, whereas MG-5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 were similar. Twenty five random primers were used for polymorphism based on DNA fingerprinting analysis of nine genotypes of marigold. Out of these, 15 primers gave amplification by producing total 113 bands with an average of 4.5 bands per primer. A total of 95 polymorphic bands and 18 monomorphic bands were observed thus, showing 84% polymorphism among all the genotypes. The highest number of bands were generated by the primer, OPD-13 (13) followed by OPA-2 (12) and OPD-2 (10), whereas the lowest number of bands was produced by OPD-11 (3). Highest dissimilarity was recorded between MG-7 and MG-8, whereas lowest value was observed between MG-1, 2 and MG-3. The genotype MG-7 was highly diverse from the rest genotypes. The dendrogram based on protein electrophoresis grouped the nine genotypes in two clusters species-wise, whereas RAPD analysis showed clear-cut genotype and species difference, which confirms the reliability of RAPD markers over protein electrophoresis.