Analysis of induced mutants of salinity resistant banana (Musa acuminata cv. Dwarf Cavendish) using morphological and molecular markers

Genetic diversity amongst 21 induced mutant clones tolerant to salinity along with one non-irradiated sensitive clone of banana (M. acuminata cv. Dwarf Cavendish (AAA)) were studied using morphological and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Out of the 30 phenotypic indices screened, 23 were polymorph and two traits, leaf habit and blotches color, were differentiated by non-irradiated clone. RAPDs established 106 major amplified products using 14 primers. Out of 106 markers, eight were monomorph, and the remaining (98) were polymorph. The extent of polymorphism indicated the existence of considerable variation DNA level within induced mutant clones. Primer OPA-02 revealed banding patterns specific to salinity resistant clones. Both morphological and RAPD analyses successfully detected genetic variation within induced mutant clones, RAPD also detected variation between the irradiated and non-irradiated clones, which were morphologically indistinguishable. Results were indicative that induced mutations bear a great potential in improving banana for salinity resistant.