The use of Microsatellite Markers in Genetic Variation Analysis of Some Introduced Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis) Clones Cultivated in Ghana

Purpose: Genetic makers are indispensable in the genetic quantification and characterization of plant species of which rubber tree is no exception. Markers have been used severally in genetic identification and diversity analysis of rubber tree species. However, in Ghana genetic diversity and relatedness among introduced rubber tree species are limited. The study is aimed to use microsatellite markers to assess the genetic variability and evaluate genetic relationships among clones of Hevea brasiliensis cultivated in Ghana. Research Method: Genomic DNA was extracted from fresh rubber leaves following the Cetyltrimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) protocol. The five (5) different SSR primers used for the analysis were hmct1, hmac4, hmct5, gSSR212 and gSSR194. Findings: The five SSR markers showed some degree of relatedness among the rubber clones which suggested genetic similarity (IRCA317-5, IRCA41-2, IRCA331-6, IRCA230-4, IRCA109-3, and B8-23) and diversity (K2-18, IRCA840-7, PB217-8, PB217-10, and IRCA317-16) among the clones irrespective of their geographical area of collection. Research Limitation: The unavailability of polivinylpolipyrolidon (PVPP) and polyacrylamide gel (PAGE). Original Value: The results from the study depict that relatively some rubber clones of interest could be selected for future breeding and propagation programmes in Ghana