Analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of 135 dill (Anethum graveolens L.) accessions using RAPD markers

Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) leaf, seed and their essential oil are rich source of antioxidants. The plant is native in Southwest Asia and is cultivated in Europe, India and the United States. This study evaluated the genetic diversity structure of 135 accessions of A. graveolens from different continents, based on random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The selected 10 RAPD primers generated a total of 142 highly reproducible bands, among which 89 were polymorphic. Percentage of polymorphism varied from 41.17 % (OPB20) to 92.85 % (OPB15) with an average of 77.74 %. A relatively high genetic diversity was detected among all the accessions with the Nei’s genetic diversity (H) values ranged from 0.346 (OPB07) to 0.444 (OPB18) with a mean of 0.401. When estimated for Shannon’s information index (I), it has ranged from 0.530 (OPB12) to 0.652 (OPB18), the mean was observed as 0.581. The respective values of H and I were found to be the highest value for primer OPB18. Cluster analysis of RAPD data using UPGMA algorithm based on Nei’s genetic similarity matrix placed the 135 accessions into two main clusters. Although a number of groups can be identified, the clusters show little to no association with the geographic origin of the material. The implication of the results of this study in developing a strategy for the conservation and breeding of dill germplasm are discussed.