Molecular diversity in coconut eco-types of coastal and inland riverine ecosystems

Abstract

To understand the variation between coconuts growing in in the two different ecosystems, molecular studies was conducted on two ecotypes, WCT and AST under two ecosystems, viz. coastal and inland respectively. These two varieties showed very little difference between them shelf and the slight differences noted may be due to the climatic difference. It also shows that the Assam Tall has adapted the cold tolerance. The West Coast Tall and Assam Tall are both Tall group cultivars separated geographically, a distance of more than 3000 km but the two varieties did not show much difference as evidenced by the isozyme patterns. On the other hand, DNA fingerprinting using molecular markers detect variation at the DNA level overcoming most of the limitations of morphological and biochemical markers. This study on two distinct eco-geographical zones, yielded useful information on the diversity of coconuts. The Assam Tall types are more uniform genetically and this is the first molecular study, which shows that the cultivar is related to West Coast Tall. The application of molecular tools was found useful in bio-geographical studies. It was found that Assam Tall and West Coast Tall though genetically similar differ only in their adaptation.