Evaluation for Genetic Purity and Diversity in Isoenzymeα-Esterases of ten Pearl Millet Hybrids (Pennisetum glaucum)

The prospective of biochemical marker like seed esterases, was investigated in the present study. Ten pearl millet hybrids (Pennisetum glaucum) genotypes were used to examine the suitability of esterases for characterization of pearl millet genotypes. Banding pattern at 9 DAG showed that band number1, 2 and 4 (Rm = 0.332 0.549 and 0.674) were present in all the hybrids. Band number 3 (Rm = 0.636) was present in six hybrids i.e. GHB-526, GHB-558, GHB-577, GHB-732, GHB-744 and GHB-757. Band number 5 (Rm = 0.728) was present in all hybrids except for GHB-538. Among the 10 genotypes studied, two could be differentiated from each other. Total 13 bands of esterase isozymes were observed at 3, 6 and 9 day after germination (DAG). Polymorphism was observed 75%, 100 per cent and 40 per cent at 3, 6 and 9 DAG, respectively. Genetic distance revealed that ten pearl millet hybrids fell into two main clusters A and B. The cluster A included two sub clusters A1 and A2. Sub-cluster A1 further divided in two sub-sub cluster A1a and A1b. A1a comprised of four hybrids i.e. GHB-526, GHB- 558, GHB-577and GHB-235, while A1b consisted of only one hybrid GHB-744. Sub cluster A2 comprised of three hybrids i.e. GHB-732, GHB-757 and GHB-316. Cluster B included two hybrids GHB-538 and GHB-719. Thus, results clearly indicated that highest similarity was found between hybrids GHB-732 and GHB-757 while lowest similarity was observed between hybrids GHB-538 and GHB-744.