Isozyme Banding Pattern and Estimation of Genetic Diversity among Guinea Grass Germplasm

Isozyme banding pattern was studied in Guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.), a widely cultivated grass having good fodder value. Similarity among 63 accessions collected from diverse sources was worked out using five enzyme systems (SOD, GOT, ACP, Esterase and Peroxidase) following horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Biochemical markers such as isozymes are useful supplements in identifying the genetic variation present in any crop. A total of 35 clear and unambiguous bands were used for analysis of which 8 bands were monomorphic. Polymorphism exhibited by 27 bands from all five enzyme systems indicate presence of considerable diversity in this species. The dendrogram generated after UPGMA and SAHN cluster analysis using Jaccard genetic distance showed that 63 accessions from diverse geographical locations could be grouped in three main clusters, of which two could further be divided into sub-clusters. Although the clusters comprised members from different locations, most of the accessions from similar geographical locations tended to cluster in same group.