Abstract
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were employed to determine the genetic fidelity of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. plantlets multiplied through in vitro micropropagation technique. Twenty RAPD primers were screened, of which 16 primers generated a total of 605 clear, distinct and reproducible bands. Out of 605 bands, 429 (70.91%) were monomorphic and 176 (29.09%) were polymorphic. The similarity values amongst the plants varied from 0.788 to 1.000. A UPGMA dendrogram constructed to show genetic similarity among 11 plants (10 micropropagated and 1 mother plant) revealed 98% similarity among them. Glycyrrhiza glabra L., commonly known as liquorice or sweet wood, is an important medicinal plant cultivated for its rhizomes containing glycyrrhizin, which is 50 times sweeter than sugar. Maintaining genetic similarity is one of the major concerns in tissue culture techniques, and this study demonstrates that RAPD markers are effective tools for assessing genetic fidelity. The present study exhibited successful application of the RAPD marker technique for molecular profiling and assessment of the genetic fidelity of micropropagated plants of Glycyrrhiza glabra L., confirming the clonal stability and reliability of the propagation protocol for this important medicinal species.
