Molecular diversity of wild mulberry (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Morus </i>spp.) of Indian subcontinent

334-343A total of 72 collections belonging to two wild mulberry species, viz., Morus laevigata and M. serrata, from different eco-geographic regions of India were utilized for assessment of molecular diversity and interrelationships. The study employed a total of 21 RAPD and 6 ISSR primers and generated 409 markers, of which 92.4% were polymorphic. Among M. laevigata collections, genetic divergence was significant between the mainland and Andaman Island collections, highlighting the geographical and reproductive isolation among the two populations. Hierarchical clustering of molecular marker similarity coefficients by UPGMA method resolved the collections into three distinct clusters, first one having all the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">M. laevigata collections of the mainland, second comprising of M. laevigata collections from the Andaman Islands and the third containing M. serrata collections exclusively. This is in concurrence with the geographical distribution and taxonomic status. Three <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">M. laevigata (OPA-09900, OPA-092400 & UBC-8113500) and two M. serrata (OPA-16650 & UBC-8071450) specific DNA markers were identified for possible conversion into SCAR markers for diligent identification of wild mulberry species. The results obtained from the analysis of molecular diversity and coefficient of variance indicated the need for immediate <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">in situ conservation measures for wild mulberry species, especially the M. serrata population of India