EVALUATION OF GENETIC DIVERSITY RELATIONSHIPS IN ORANGES VARIETIES USING RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA

Citrus is a widespread plant with many uses. Due to its high degree of heterozygosity citrus are found very diverse. As a result of this, genetic improvement through conventional method has become very difficult. Researchers have found methods to study genetic diversity and their connections to their ancestors. One of the simplest and easiest method is called Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). This study was done to evaluate the genetic diversity and relationships in orange varieties using RAPD method. Another objective was to determine suitable RAPD primers to analyse genetic diversity of oranges. The plant samples chosen were 14 in total with Fortunella margarita as an outgroup organism. Also, there were 11 primers chosen. Phylogeny trees were generated using FREETREE software and the trees were visualised using TreeView software. From 11 primers, OPA13 and OPC1 primer gave the most polymorphism percentage result. As a result of this, both primers can be used as an RAPD marker for citrus plant.