Genetic diversity assessment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gymnema sylvestre</Emphasis> (Retz.) R. Br. ex Sm. populations from Western Ghats of Maharashtra,India

Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Sm., a rich source with gymnemic acid, has been used to treat diabetes since past 2000 years. In the current investigation, nomenclature, geographical distribution as well as morphological and genetic diversity of 22 G. sylvestre populations spread across of Western Ghats of Maharashtra has been reported. The genetic variability has been assessed using RAPD and ISSR molecular markers. The populations recorded high level of gene differentiation (G_ST = 0.41 based on ISSR) and gene flow (Nm = 0.92 based on RAPD). The high level of gene differentiation among the populations attributed to entomophilous pollination, wind seed dispersal, out crossing and anthropogenic activities.