Variability analysis in ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) somaclones using RAPD marker system

Thirteen groups of somaclones (seven in Maran and six in Rio-de-Janeiro) were evaluated using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). RAPD analysis using twelve selected primers produced 129 amplicons, 44 were polymorphic with an average of 3.66 polymorphic bands / primer and a polymorphism percentage of 34.10. The dendrograms generated based on RAPD profiles grouped the somaclones into two separate clusters. RAPD marker system showed that somaclones derived from cultivar Maran exhibited more variability than Rio-de-Janeiro.