RAPD markers for genetic characterization in Mucuna species

Abstract

The genus Mucuna belongs to the Family Fabaceae (Leguminoceae) and includes about 150 species of annual and perennial legumes of pantropical distribution. Many species exhibits properties such as high nitrogen fixing ability, aggressive growth habit and high productivity of vegetative matter rendering them as an excellent source of green-manure cover crop (GMCC) [1]. Almost all the species are also known to produce L-Dopa (L 3,4 dihydroxy phenylalanine), a non protein amino acid that acts as a precursor to the neurotransmitter drug dopamine used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease [2]. Even though Mucuna has long history of usage in India, most of the research until now has been focused mainly on determining its nutritional potential [3, 4]. There is serious paucity of systematic efforts to collect and evaluate Mucuna germplasm on all India basis except for some regional efforts. The scenario call for an immediate need to embark on “Mucuna germplasm program” in India starting with collection, documentation and characterization of the germplasm grown at different geographic regions of India.