Genetic diversity and structure revealed by genomic microsatellite markers in Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., a plant with medicinal potential.

BACKGROUND

Around the world, medicinal plants are utilised for various purposes. Centella asiatica is one of the important medicinal plants widely used in many medicinal systems. Nevertheless, analysis of the genetic diversity would pave the way for its most suitable utilisation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The present study analyses the genetic diversity and structure of eighty C. asiatica accessions collected from the southern states of India, using ten genomic microsatellite markers. The mean Nei's gene diversity (0.46) indicates considerable genetic diversity. Analysis of molecular variance (82.48%) exhibited significant genetic variance between samples within the population. The cluster analysis brought out the structure of the analysed populations as three subpopulations based on the genetic differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed significant intra-population variation, predominant inbreeding and population differentiation in C. asiatica. The findings will help better understanding of the genetic structure and gene pool of the plant.