Use of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) in differentiation of selected species of Cucumis grown in Southern India

Abstract

Cucumis sativus (Cucumber), Cucumis melo var. acidulus (Vellari) and C. melo var. momordica (Snapmelon) are three species which are widely cultivated in India as vegetable crops. These species are distinguished based on leaf, hypanthium and fruit characteristics; however, large variation in morphological and fruit traits has been observed in different populations. A combination of morphological and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis were carried out in these species to have a better understanding of the taxonomy. RAPD analysis of genomic DNA revealed that polymorphism with OPBE, OPBF primer series and banding pattern of OPBE-18, OPBF-03 and OPBF-15 were able to distinguish between C. sativus, C. melo var. acidulus and C. melo var. momordica.

Key words: Cucumis sativus, Cucumis melo var. acidulus, Cucumis melo var. momordica, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD).