Paithankar, Dr. D. H.SONWANE, RAJKUMAR GHANSHYAM.2020-09-132020-09-132019-07-19SONWANE, RAJKUMAR GHANSHYAM. (2019). Genetic diversity studies of acid lime genotypes using morphological and molecular markers. Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. M. Sc. 2019. Print. xii, 121p. (Unpublished).https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810151184The study was conducted in AICRP on Fruits Dr. P. D. K. V. Akola and Biotechnology Research Center Dr. P. D. K. V. Akola. Where Fourteen acid lime genotypes were selected for morphological and molecular characterization of selected acid lime genotypes to asses genetic diversity.The present investigation entitled “Genetic diversity studies of acid lime genotypes using morphological and molecular markers” was undertaken with the objectives to estimate the diversity among 14 genotypes of acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia). Using morphological and molecular markers and find the suitability of different marker system to study the genetic diversity in acid lime for their utilization in hybridization programme. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the characters under study. Canonical analysis indicates about 92.9 per cent of total variation was accounted by the six canonical roots spreading (E-W, N-S) (Vector I), Stem girth (Vector II), Average weight of fruits (Vector III), Peel weight (Vector IV), Petiole length (V) and Peel to fruit ratio (VI) were important source of variation on respective vectors and also confirmed by cluster mean of different characters. SSRs technique was used to assess genetic diversity by means of molecular markers. A total 49 polymorphic amplified products were obtained from 10 primers which discriminated all the accession. All 14 genotypes were grouped on the basis of morphological markers (three clusters) and SSRs markers (three clusters). Clustering done by morphological markers was not in agreement with molecular markers. Diagnostic SSRs were identified which discriminate among the citrus species. Two acid lime accessions misclassified based on morphological traits were reassigned individual cluster SSRs. Using SSRs markers, a total 7 unique bands were observed in a set of acid lime genotypes which could be utilized for the identification of genotypes. SSRs primers AG-14, TAA-15, TC-26, GT-03, CT-19, TAA-3 and CAT-01 shown highest polymorphism in a set of acid lime genotypes, hence these primers were most useful for the discrimination of acid lime genotypes. The present study indicates usefulness of assessing genetic diversity at DNA level using SSRs markers and its potential to determine the similarity between genotypes more precisely as compared to morphological markers.enCrops, Fruit Crops, Acid lime, Citrus aurantifolia, Crop improvement, Biotechnology, Electrophoresis, Isolation technique, Molecular biology, Genetic markers, Genetic polymorphism, PCR, DNA Fingerprinting, Statistical methods, Data analysis, Experimental design.Thesis