Utility of Markers for Determination of Genetic Diversity in Jatropha: AReview

摘要

Jatropha is largely a semi-wild plant under domestication. There is wide variation in morphological and agronomictraits of Jatropha. There are several endeavours to improve the genetic quality of Jatropha. Various seed yieldranges have been reported for Jatropha, for example, 0.4 – 12 t ha-1. Proper identification and characterisation of theplant’s germplasm is central in genetic improvement of the plant. This paper evaluates the utility of markers for determinationof 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 ISSRhave been applied in evaluation of genetic diversity in Jatropha. Each of these techniques has its own advantages andlimitations that determine its applicability in plant genetic diversity studies. This paper recommends application of a combinationof markers as a reliable approach for determination of intra-specific genetic diversity in Jatropha.