Phylogentic relationship of cold tolerant Mentha arvensis variety 'CIM Kranti' with some released varieties as assessed through physiological and molecular analysis

An elite genotype of Mentha arvensis was developed through half sib progeny selection with cold tolerance and higher yields of essential oil during winters. Molecular variations were assessed among nine released commercial varieties and the new variety 'CIM-Kranti' by RAPD and ISSR. In total, 20 RAPD primers and 16 microsatellite primers were used to detect the polymorphism among ten varieties of Mentha arvensis including new genotype. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship of the variety 'CIM-Kranti' to 'Gomti' and 'Shivalik' genotype of Mentha arvensis. RAPD and ISSR analysis resulted in two different phylogenetic relationships of the 10 genotypes. Comparative physiological variations were assessed by analyzing antioxidants, glutathione reductase, lipid peroxidation assay and relative water content of the new variety CIM Kranti, which clearly demonstrated tolerance towards cold therefore having potential of giving higher additional essential oil yields during winters.