Abstract

Genetic improvements of medicinal plants depend on the existence, nature and extent of the genetic variabiles available for manipulation. Genetic analysis with random amplification of polymorphic DNA markers has been extensively used to determine genetic diversity among Coleus sp. and to identify the best quality for human consumption and its medicinal purpose. The objectives of the present study were to assess molecular variation among Coleus amboinicus, Coleus aromaticus and Coleus forskohlii and to determine the level of genetic similarity among them. Analyses carried out include random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) on three strains of Coleus sp. and random primers were used for PCR. Electrophoresis on denaturing acrylamide gels improved RAPD reproducibility and increased the band number. In this study, the primer OPW 6 and OPW 7 gave reproducible results and the band profiles.

Key words: RAPD, genetic diversity, conservation, primers, genetic polymorphism.