Molecular Diversity Analysis in F 3 Intergeneric Population of Papaya ( Carica papaya L.)

Attempts were made to estimate molecular diversity present in F₃ populations of intergeneric crosses between Carica papaya L. (Var. Pusa Nanha and CP 50) and Vasconcellea cauliflora. Molecular studies revealed that PCR amplification using five ISSR primers in 40 F₃ progenies yielded 53 reproducible amplified bands. Of the 53 bands, 44 were polymorphic (83.02%). Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) value ranged between 0.90 (ISSR 807 x 810) and 0.66 (ISSR 834 x 810). Similarity coefficients based on five ISSR markers ranged from 0.05 to 0.96. Maximum similarity was observed for genotypes 1, 4 and 6 of Pusa Nanha x Vasconcellea cauliflora (0.96). Minimum similarity was observed between genotypes 3 and 14 of CP 50 x Vasconcellea cauliflora (0.04). This higher genetic diversity of papaya progenies stands to contribute to development of new varieties and, using the data, further hybridization and selection can be planned.