RAPD Marker Based Genetic Diversity Analysis of Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murray

S. acmella is an important plant with multifold medicinal uses. It has also been reported to possess profound larvicidal, insecticidal activities against Anopheles and so can be developed as a potent antimalarial agent. Because of the continuous collection of plants from the wild sources, it's considered as endangered which has necessitated the use of biotechnology in conservation and sustainable management of this endangered plant species. Therefore, molecular characterization of this herb will enhance our understanding in improving the optimal yields of active ingredient spilanthol. Genetic variability was assessed in 15 genotypes collected from different locations of Chhattisgarh, India using 20 RAPD markers. Out of which, 15 markers gave reproducible results with a total 168 bands, average 11.2 bands per primer and produced 89.34% polymorphism. Genetic distance was calculated from the Jaccard coefficient. A dendrogram was constructed on the basis of the similarity matrix data by UPGMA cluster analysis which showed two clusters. Thus, results showed that RAPD markers are effective in detecting genetic variations in S. acmella genotypes.