Genetic Diversity and Morphological Characterization of M7 Soybean Mutant Lines Using RAPD Markers

Abstract

When genetic variability is diminished using traditional breeding methods, induced mutation is a good
way to increase genetic diversity in soybean. Hence, genetic diversity amongst 33 M7 generation
soybean mutant lines with high N2 fixation character and one non-irradiated cultivar (L17) was studied
by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and some morphological traits. RAPDs
established 104 major amplified products using 10 polymorphic primers. Out of 104 markers, 34 were
monomorph and the remaining (70) were polymorph. Cluster analysis of studied lines in terms of RAPD
markers, separated mutant lines group from parent cultivar. Both morphological and RAPD markers
successfully detected genetic variation within induced mutant lines and the variation between irradiated
and non irradiated lines which were morphologically indistinguishable also detected by RAPD.
Therefore RAPD markers with average PIC = 0.80, can be more useful for detecting induced diversity
among mutant lines. It can be inferred from the results that irradiation did induce significant genetic
variability with regard to majority of studied traits such as number of nodule per plant and harvest
index. Sequencing and cloning of band pattern (3 kb) obtained from parent cultivar with OPA09 primer
and introducing it as a SCAR marker can be used in marker assisted selection.