Genetic Diversity of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Cultivars Using DNA markers and Morphological traits

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is a species of aquatic plants in the Nelumbonaceae family. Currently, cultivation of ornamental flowers and breeding is widespread resulting in numerous hybrids and significant genetic diversity. Consequently, classification based on morphology becomes challenging and confusing. This research purposed to evaluate genetic diversity among nine samples in Phitsanulok province using sixteen qualitative and nine quantitative characters, along with three molecular markers: sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and high annealing temperature random amplified polymorphic DNA (HAT-RAPD). The similarity index for the combined molecular markers ranged 0.736 to 0.990, while for morphological characteristics, it ranged from 0.440 to 0.920. Results from the molecular markers indicated that 5 SRAP, 7 RAPD and 8 HAT-RAPD primers produced an average of 38.2%, 40.2% and 28.8% polymorphic fragments per primer, respectively. The UPGMA cluster analysis based on molecular data and morphological traits grouped the Indochina Garden cultivars with those from Phitsanulok cultivars. Using the three molecular marker, seven cultivars in Phitsanulok province clustered together. In contrast, morphological characteristics separated into three groups. This suggested that two cultivars from the plant market were distinctly different from lotus cultivars in Phitsanulok province.