Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Population Discrimination in Hypericum hookerianum of Western Ghats using RAPD

The genetic diversity in Hypericum hookerianu collectd from six different sites in Western Ghats was assessed. The aim was to compare inter and intra population genetic distances and to find out the areas of maximum genetic diversity. Out of 40 primers tested of the OPB, OPZ and OPW series 25 primers produced amplification in all the samples tested. The number of bands produced by each primer varied from 3 to 12 with an average of 7 bands per primer. Nei s and Li genetic measures were used for data analysis and these were clarified on dendrograms by the UPGMA method. Using the POPGENE package statistical analysis was observed. But the genetic distance between population was not co-related to the distance between sites. The two palani populations are forming a close cluster. Avalanche and Dodabetta populations of Nilgiris clustered as a loose group. Avalanche populations showed the maximum total genetic diversity and within accession genetic diversity.