Genetic diversity assessment of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes through morphological and RAPD marker

The aim of the present study was to assess the fifteen Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) genotypes for genetic diversity using morphological traits and RAPD markers. Nine morphological traits were studied and subjected to analysis of variance. Mean squares due to genotypes were highly significant as well as wide mean range performance was observed for plant height, seed yield and oil yield. Ward’s cluster analysis based on morphological traits separated the accessions into two groups. RAPD analysis was carried out with 20 primers. They were screened but only 14 primers produced amplification. These 14 primers produced 74 bands, in which 64 were polymorphic bands. Average polymorphism was 86.49 per cent. Based on the RAPD markers, a dendrogram was constructed using the UPGMA method. The similarity coefficient ranged from 0.50 to 1.00 with an average of 0.75. Cluster analysis based on RAPD data separated the accession into four main groups. In general there was association between the dendrogram obtained by RAPD markers and morphological characteristics. The result obtained can also be used for further breeding purposes for characterization and identification of new genotypes.