Studies on genetic relationships among six varieties of jackfruit in Kerala employing the 'matK' gene using PCR technique and RFLP markers

Scientific Study from the year 2017 in the subject Biology - Genetics / Gene Technology, Mar Augusthinose College, language: English, abstract: Artocarpus heterophyllus belong to the Moraceae family and are abundant in Western Ghats. The fruit provide two MJ per kg/wet weight of ripe perianth and contain high levels of carbohydrates, protein, starch, calcium and vitamins. Jackfruit has diverse medicinal uses especially for anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-cancer and anti-fungal activity. MatK (maturase K) genes are fast evolving, highly variant regions of plant chloroplast DNA that can serve as potential biomarkers for DNA coding and also in generating primers for plants with identification of unique motif regions. Advances in the genetic markers such as RFLP and PCR based methods are more reliable for identification of genetic diversity than morphological markers, although each technique has advantages and limitations. The objective of this research work was to estimate the level of genetic diversity and to assess genetic relationships among six varieties of jackfruit using 'matK gene' based on PCR technique and RFLP markers. The partial sequence of the 'matK' gene of six different Artocarpus varities was used in the analysis. The size of amplified products was approximately 700 bp. After sequencing and sequence editing, sequence information on a 674 bp region was finally obtained for analysis. The alignment of sequences revealed two haplotypes out of 674 sites. The nucleotide frequencies are 30.00% (A), 37.69% (T/U), 17.93% (C), and 14.39% (G). Being one of the underutilized fruits in India, Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. has promising leads to further scientific researches and livelihood strategies. The study of matK gene using PCR and RFLP seems to a promising tool in establishing genetic diversity among jackfruit varities. The tree, indigenous to the Western Ghats, is an important source of nutritious food during summer season. Encouragements should be made to the marketing as well as value added food products from this underutilized fruit tree.

Dr. Prem Jose Vazhacharickal is currently working as an assistant professor in the Department of Biotechnology, Mar Augusthinose College, Ramapuram, Kerala, India. He received the research training and academic guidance from Prof. Dr. Andreas Buerkert, University of Kassel, Germany.