Utilization of Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers for the evaluation of population structure and genetic variability in Persicaria glabra (Willd.) M. Gomez

Persicaria glabra (Willd.) M. Gomez; family Polygonaceae, an important medicinal herb and a wetland indicator species. The germplasm of this species is highly depleted due to habitat destructions coupled with overexploitation. The present research work was undertaken to evaluate the genetic variability and population structure of available germplasm across Kerala, South India. A total of 29 accessions of P. glabra (PG), were collected from various agroclimatic zones. During genetic diversity studies, Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers bring out 190 amplicons with selected individuals and 79 % of the bands were polymorphic. SCoT 9 has the highest resolving power (8.28) and thereby ensures better discrimination of accessions at the molecular level. The below median value for polymorphism information content (PIC) represented a moderate range of allelic variations at the individual level. Similarly, a modest extent of heterozygous alleles was present within the population as evident from the marginal value for Nei's gene diversity. However, the lowest value for Shannon's information index of 0.37 revealed the presence of genetically diverse individuals within the collection. The dendrogram created by the unweighted neighbor-joining method distributed all accessions into its three main clusters, and the grouping was not concordant with their habitats. Population structure analysis revealed the probability of two assumed subpopulations within the germplasm. Eventually, P. glabra accessions showed distinct population structure and genetic makeup. The significant level of genetic variability among the P. glabra accessions can be used for germplasm management, conservation, and selection of superior genotypes for breeding.