Genetic diversity of Melia dubia as revealed by molecular markers

Abstract

Abstract Background Melia dubia Cav. of the family Meliaceae is a highly valued multipurpose tree species that has a short rotation period and can be harvested for various industrial and domestic wood requirements. However, the availability of genetically improved planting stock is almost non-existent, especially in North East India, and formulating management and conservation strategies are highly in need as it was observed during the survey that the number of Melia trees was very less and the majority of it was found fragmented in home-gardens. Methods and Results In the present study, a survey was conducted on the natural population in 11 villages of East Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh and 34 phenotypically superior Melia trees were selected based on the characteristics viz. height, clear bole height, girth at breast height, collar girth, crown diameter, straightness and branching. East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh occupies a geographical area of 3,603 sq. km and a forest cover of 2911.67 sq. km. Genetic diversity of 34 selected trees is estimated with 15 microsatellite markers (SSR). Five out of fifteen SSR primers were found to be polymorphic. The effective number of alleles (Ne = 1.88), Nei’s gene diversity (h = 0.47), polymorphism information content (PIC = 0.48) and Shannon’s index (I = 0.66). Conclusion It is affirmed by the UPGMA dendrogram and the pair-wise genetic dissimilarity that there is no association between the genetic and geographic distance of the genotypes. Understanding the genetic variability of M. dubia will help to identify superior seed sources for improvement programs and conservation strategies for the species.