Genetic diversity of Indian bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) by ISSR and morphological markers

Genetic variation among 29 bitter gourd genotypes was assessed using morphological and ISSR markers during 2013-14. High genetic variability was observed for yield per plant (397-1990 g), number of fruits per plant (9.18-43), individual fruit weight (25.47-125.67 g), plant height (110-503 cm), fruit length (6.39-25.97 cm), fruit diameter (2.53-6.1 cm), number of seeds (5-22.33) and number of branches per plant (4.67-16.44). The pair-wise Jaccard's similarity coefficient ranged between 0.22-1.00 based on morphological traits. The size of fragments varied from 200 bp (by ISSR marker UBC-808, 811, and 835) to 1550 bp (by ISSR marker UBC-807). Maximum polymorphism was shown by primers UBC-825 and lowest level of polymorphism was shown by UBC-807, UBC-809 followed by UBC-812, UBC-810. On an average 63.16% polymorphism was obtained per primer. All genotypes were grouped into five main clusters. Jaccard's similarity coefficient ranged from 0.73-1.00. These data revealed that large amount of genetic variability exist among the examined genotypes of bitter gourd.