Diversity analysis of Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew. using biochemical and molecular parameters

The variability present in 20 plants of Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew. (ker, family Capparaceae) from Fatehpur region of Rajasthan was investigated using different nutritional, biochemical and molecular parameters. Moisture content, crude protein, proline, total carbohydrate, starch, vitamin C, soluble sugar, crude fat, crude fiber, NDF, hemi cellulose, cellulose, lignin, ash, phosphorous, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, sodium, potassium, cobalt, manganese, and calcium were estimated. Seventeen primers were used for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. A total 72 band positions were obtained using RAPD, of which 64 being polymorphic generated 87.6% polymorphism. Jaccard’s similarity coefficients ranged from 26 to 78.4%. The analysis of various biochemical and mineral constituents revealed that fruits are rich in carbohydrates (63.06 ± 4.20%) and protein (23.34 ± 4.38%) with high amount of potassium (3.23 ± 0.13%). The Manhattan dissimilarity coefficient obtained on the basis of biochemical and chemical analysis, ranged from 61 to 98%. The biochemical and RAPD based phylogenetic clustering were not correlated. Nevertheless, RAPD was found to be more efficient in estimating the diversity as compared to biochemical and chemical parameters.