APPLICATION OF MOLECULAR MARKERS IN ASSESSING GENETIC DIVERSITY IN INDIAN MANGROVES

摘要

In general, the mangrove ecosystem is unexplored and poorly understood. The unique habitat preference and the complexity of the system make it difficult to study. From our investigations, the overall genetic polymorphism encountered in these plants is species specific and to a large extent independent of morphological variations and sexual differences. Because of the growing threat to this ecosystem, formulating plans of action that will ensure its restoration, conservation and sustainable utilization is of paramount importance. To this end, combined efforts have begun and a Genetic Resource Centre for assembling unique morphological and distinct genotypes capable of tolerance to sea water has been set up by our Centre at Pichavaram in Tamil Nadu State. It is hoped that these efforts will ensure long term conservation. They also form part of an anticipatory research programme to face the possible changes in growing conditions that may arise in the future from the rise in sea level as a result of global warming.