Analysis of the genetic stability of Ngoc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv.) using RAPD markers

Abstract

In the current paper, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to evaluate genetic of native Ngoc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv.) derived from Ngoc Linh mountain (area of Kontum and Quang Nam provinces) and acclimatized plants cultured in Bidoup national park (area of Lam Dong province). PCR products were electrophoresed on a 1.5% agarose gel and showed 93 monophorphic bands and 5 polymorphic bands (5.1 %). Out of 15 primers screened, OPA-05 and OPB-14 produced a single monomorphic band whereas OPA-13 resulted in no band pattern. The electrophoresis of PCR products of RAPD markers were scrored in a binary matrix and then used to generate genetic matrix using NTSYSpc 2.1 software. This similarity matrix was then used for clustering of the genotypes by SAHN of the software by UPGMA (unweighted pair group with arithmetic mean). The results indicated that 10 plants were grouped into 2 clusters: group 1 included 6 plants (LD1, LD2, LD3, LD4 derived from Lam Dong and QN7, QN9 derived from Quang Nam), group 2 included 4 plants (KT5, KT6 derived from Kontum and QN8, QN10 derived from Quang Nam) with similarity coefficient of 0.9820 and 0.9762, respectively. 12 remain primers were used to evaluate genetic stability of regenerants obtained through somatic embryogenesis. The data showed that there were no visually detectable differences in phenotype were observed between 32 somatic embryo derived plantlets. The plantlets were successully transferred to the nursery garden with the survival rate above 60 %. The results indicated the usefulness of somatic embryogenesis in mass propagation of this precious and economic medical herbal with high genetic stability.