AFLP markers for analysis of genetic diversity and structure of teak (Tectona grandis) in India

Five AFLP primer combinations (E-AAC x M-CAT, E-AAC x M-CTG, E-ACA x M-CTC, E-ACA x M-CTA, E-ACC x M-CTA) were employed for analysis of genetic diversity, differentiation and structure of 96 genotypes of teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) from ten natural locations of India. The analysis of the AFLP marker data by both versions, i.e. Gst and ? of F statistics showed almost a similar trend due to the outcrossing nature of teak. The primer combination E-AAC X M-CAT detected maximum polymorphism in teak genome. AMOVA assigned a large proportion of the genetic diversity to within the sampled locations and a very small proportion to among locations. The population genetic structure resolved by the Neighbor Joining tree, Principal Co-ordinate Analysis and No-admixture/ Admixture model Bayesian based analyses irrefutably revealed two distinct centers of teak diversity, i.e. Central and Peninsular India. Further, the very high proportion of gene diversity residing within locations encourages for intensive selection/ collection of diverse superior genotypes (elite trees) from each location for conservation of germplasm and genetic improvement of teak.