Abstract

Isozyme markers are the oldest among molecular markers. Isozyme markers have been successfully used in several crop improvement programmes. Peroxidase (POX) isozyme has proven to be reliable genetic marker in breeding and genetic studies of Pearl millet. The present study was conducted to characterize 21 genotypes (7 hybrids, 6 female parents, 5 male parents and 3 open pollinated varieties (OPV) of Pearl millet by using POX isozyme. Five bands were found with Rm/Rf value ranges from 0.5 to 0.64. All bands were found to be polymorphic in nature except band with Rm value of 0.55 which was present in all genotypes. Intensity of bands varied with each genotype. Only 3 genotypes (H 77/29-2, HMS 7A and HHB 94) out of 21 genotypes were differentiated from other genotypes. Similarity indices based on POX banding pattern revealed that hybrid HHB 50, HHB 60, HHB 67 and HHB 146 completely resembled (SI 1.000) with their female parents MS 81A, MS 843A and ICMA 95222A. This showed the maximum contribution of female parent in comparison with male parent towards the development of hybrid.

Key words: Peroxidase, characterization, banding pattern.