Development of genomic microsatellite markers in commiphora wightii

Abstract

Commiphora wightii is an important medicinal plant, growing in arid to semi- arid conditions. It is widely distributed in tropical regions of Africa, Madagascar and Asia. In India, the specie is found in South- Western India and parts of Central India. The plant on incision secretes an oleo gum resin, which is used to treat various ailments since ancient times. The oleo gum resins of plant contain guggulsterones which have great medicinal value. The other uses of gum are in perfumery, calicoprinting, dyeing silk and cotton, fumigation and incense for which the plant is getting exploited by unfair tapping methods. This plant has been listed in red data book so conservation of this plant is the need of present. For this it is necessary to know about the genetic diversity and population structure of the plant. Microsatellite markers are markers of choice for such studied because they are reproducible, co- dominant and show high levels of polymorphism. In the present study genomic SSR markers were developed. A total of 22 primer pairs were designed for which, 1913 clones were analysed for fragments containing microsatellite regions and 338 clones were found positive and are selected for sequencing. Sequencing results show a total of 212 fragments with perfect repeats, interrupted repeats and compound repeats (> 5 repeats). These primer pairs can be used in genetic diversity analysis of naturally growing populations of Commiphora wightii. They can also be used in MAS, genome selection during gene introgression in plant breeding, genome mapping and gene tagging. This will help in planning the conservation strategies as well as rational utilization of this endangered plant.