Genetic Diversity of Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Yponomeutidae: Lepidoptera) Populations in India Using RAPD Markers

摘要

Diamondback Moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. is one of the key insect pests of crucifer crops in India and elsewhere, causing huge crop losses. Despite its economic importance, population structure of this pest is not known from India. Therefore, genetic diversity of DBM collected from different cruciferous growing regions of Karnataka comprising the part of southern India (Bangalore, Belgaum, Hassan and Shimoga), Delhi and Ludhiana comprising northern parts of India was assessed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Eighteen random primers were screened to investigate the genetic variability among the seven population of DBM. Five Operan (Op) primers viz., OpC 6, OpC 9, OpC 10, OpC 4 and OpB 20 out of eighteen produced unique banding patterns that could differentiate all the seven population and produce a total of 183 amplicons. Maximum number of amplicons obtained with primer OpC 6 and the least number of amplicons noticed with OpB 20 with the average amplicons of 36.60 per primer and all of them were polymorphic, indicating high genetic variability among DBM population. The cluster analysis of RAPD data clearly separated these populations into two distinct groups with first group consisting of only Delhi population and rest of the population falling into second group. The maximum dissimilarity (43%) was observed between the populations from Delhi and Belgaum. Whereas, the minimum dissimilarity (24%) was found in population from Ludhiana and Hassan. The present investigations have shown the existence of wide genetic diversity among the DBM populations within India.