Intl. J. of Mol. Evol. and Biodivers. 2015, Vol. 5, No. 1, 1-5
5
within the TL-SLYD indicating the possibility of
genetic structure even within this group. Such
observations have not previously been recorded in the
world for dwarf coconut varieties.
The present study further evaluated the association of
tolerance/susceptibility for the
Aceria
mite infestation
with the molecular markers. In the phenetic tree two
groups were identified with one group including the
majority of individuals within the TLMT group and
the other including the majority of individuals in the
TLMS group with molecular markers and specific
alleles defining such groups. No such grouping was
evident for
Aceria
mite tolerance within the DL-SLYD
group. Therefore, no conclusive associations were
directly evident for
Aceria
mite tolerance/
susceptibility in the current study although certain
grouping was clear within TL group. The results
however, indicate the high possibility for identifying
associations if tested with more molecular markers
and the feasibility for subsequent marker assisted
selection.
The coconut form SLYD has been used as a parent in
developing hybrids in many of the coconut growing
countries. It is a parent in the recommended coconut
hybrid CRIC65 in Sri Lanka. Genetic fidelity of the
parental population is a must for the resultant hybrid
to be uniform and for the expected performance in the
field. With the results elucidated in the current study
purification of the variety is essential followed by the
use of the DL-SLYD group as the parents in the
hybrid production because the SLYD is the specified
parent in the coconut hybrid CRIC65 in Sri Lanka.
Out of the SSR loci used in this study, CAC65,
CNZ12 and CNZ44 were found to be highly
informative and polymorphic to differentiate and
distinguish the studied population and is recommended
for other studies involving this population.
Authors’ contributions
SACNP conceived and designed the research, analysed data
and prepared the manuscript. LCJK and WBSF conducted the
field and lab work.
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by the Sri Lanka National Research
Council under the grant no 11-042.
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