The application of ISSR markers in genetic variance detection among Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) cultivars in the Nonthaburi province, Thailand

In this study, inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers were applied to assess genetic diversity and genetic relationships of 14 cultivars of Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.), one of the most important agricultural economic fruits in Thailand. Genomic DNA was extracted from fresh leaf samples of 14 accessions collected from the Nonthaburi province. Nine ISSR primers were initially screened for analysis and five primers (ISSR1, ISSR3, ISSR 4, ISSR5 and ISSR9) were chosen for further analysis. A total of 50 DNA fragments, varying from 50-2000 bp, were amplified, of which 19 (38%) were polymorphic. A dendrogram showing genetic similarities among Durian was constructed based on polymorphic bands using the SPSS program (version 18). Based on the results from the dendrogram, two clusters could be separated with similarity coefficients ranging from 0.632-1.00.