The Open Renewable Energy Journal

2015, 8 : 1-6
Published online 2015 February 26. DOI: 10.2174/1876387101508010001
Publisher ID: TOREJ-8-1

Utility of Markers for Determination of Genetic Diversity in Jatropha: A Review

R. M. Jingura and R. Kamusoko
Chinhoyi University of Technology, Private Bag 7724, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe.

ABSTRACT

Jatropha is largely a semi-wild plant under domestication. There is wide variation in morphological and agronomic traits of Jatropha. There are several endeavours to improve the genetic quality of Jatropha. Various seed yield ranges have been reported for Jatropha, for example, 0.4 – 12 t ha-1. Proper identification and characterisation of the plant’s germplasm is central in genetic improvement of the plant. This paper evaluates the utility of markers for determination of genetic diversity in Jatropha. Several marker techniques are available for genetic characterisation of Jatropha. These include morphological and DNA-based markers. DNA-based markers such as RAPD, AFLP, RFLP, SSR and ISSR have been applied in evaluation of genetic diversity in Jatropha. Each of these techniques has its own advantages and limitations that determine its applicability in plant genetic diversity studies. This paper recommends application of a combination of markers as a reliable approach for determination of intra-specific genetic diversity in Jatropha.

Keywords:

Accessions, DNA-based markers, germplasm, isozymes, morphological markers.