Genetic Diversity in Moringa Oleifera from Nigeria Using Fruit Morpho-Metric Characters & Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Markers

The present study was to evaluate the intra-specific genetic variabilities available among some accessions of Moringa oleifera collected from the six eco-geographical areas of Nigeria. The study was carried out on Covenant University farm and the Department of Biological Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria between April 2012 and December 2013. The Intra-specific variabilities were evaluated using 12 fruit morpho–metric characters and five arbitrary Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Data obtained from reproductive characters were expressed as means with standard deviation as well as Hierarchical clustering. Data matrix from RAPD profiles were scored as present (1) or absent (0). The data obtained from scoring the RAPD bands were subjected to genetic similarity matrix using Jaccard’s similarity coefficient (Jaccard, 1908). The results revealed high genetic variability among the accessions. A total number of 224 bands were obtained with 77.86% polymorphism. Cluster analysis of pod and seed characters revealed three distinct groups while dendrogram based on the RAPD data clustered the accessions into four distinct groups with one splinter subgroup. Some accessions exhibited good agronomic features such as long pods, high number of seeds per pod and high seed set percentage. Such accessions could serve as parent plants for breeding for genetic improvement, utilization and conservation.Keywords: Intra-specific genetic variabilities; fruit morphology; polymorphism; genetic improvement