Genetic structure and diversity of the neem germplasm bank from Brazil Northeast

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) is a tree species with known value to agriculture. Our aim was to evaluate, using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, the genetic diversity of 54 accessions from Germplasm Bank (GBN) of Embrapa Coastal Tablelands (Sergipe, Brazil). The accessions were analyzed using a model-based Bayesian procedure (Structure), molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) and Jaccard coefficient was estimated. The marker data indicated that GBN have three independent genetic groups, confirmed by genetic structure and genetic variability, enabling the formulation of appropriate strategies for management and use of GBN.Keywords: Azadirachta indica, Azadirachta excelsa, genetic resource, variabilityAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(20), pp. 2822-282