Molecular Marker Based Genetic Diversity Analysis in Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.)

Cape gooseberry is an important minor fruit crop of India. In the present study, genetic diversity of 12 genotypes of Cape gooseberry was analysed using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. For this purpose, twenty RAPD primers were employed to screen out the polymorphic primer(s) for use in the genetic diversity assessment. Results showed that genotypes, CITH Sel-7 and CITH Sel- 9, and CITH Sel-1 and CITH Sel-15 as the least diverged genotypes. Though, all the genotypes of CITH were found to be more diverged than the local SS/VK genotypes, as they clustered separately. The most promising genotypes from a genetic diversity point of view were CITH Sel-7, CITH Sel-9, CITH Sel-16, CITH Sel-5, SS/VK/501 and SS/VK/601. These genotypes could be utilised as a diverse parent in hybridisation programme or as direct selection and may yield useful segregants by virtue of the high level of heterosis.