Molecular markers for working out genetic relationship among genotypes of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

Abstract

Accurate identification of genotypes and their interrelationships are essential for breeding, and for claiming protection under plant breeder’s rights. Carnation (D. caryophyllus L.) an important flower crop has several varieties coming into the market every year. In our germplasm collection of carnation, one of the genetic stock material CG-109 was observed to give rise to frequent mosaic mutants bearing chimeric flowers. This group of unastable and mosaic mutants for flower pigmentation were separated and maintained with a different identity as IIHRS-1. From IIHRS-1, a stable mutant with entire flower bearing uniform pigmentation of red colour was isolated, purified and stabilized through tissue culture and established as a separate stable line, IIHRP-1. Three carnation lines viz., CG-109 (parental genotype), IIHRP-1 (purified stable line) and IIHRS-1 (red and white striped chimeric flowering line) were used in this study. Young leaves were selected and genomic DNA was extracted adopting the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method [1].