Saichol Junmag, Charassri Nualsri, and Theera Eksomtramage

pp. 473 - 485

Abstract

The genetic variability and phylogenetic relationships in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) were
studied using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA). Leaf samples of 151 plants were collected
from different areas in southern Thailand. DNA from the leaf samples was isolated using CTAB buffer and
screened by decamer oligonucleotide primers. Among the total of 160 primers screened, 7 primers (OPB-08,
OPR-11, OPT-06, OPT-19, OPAB-01, OPAB-09 and OPAB-14) were chosen to analyse for genetic variation in
151 individuals representing 52 dura, 60 tenera and 39 pisifera. Two hundred and nine amplified fragments
were obtained from 7 primers with an average of 29.85 RAPD markers per primer. A dendrogram showing
genetic similarities among oil palm was constructed based on polymorphic bands using UPGMA (Unweighted
Pair-Group Method Using Arithmetic Average). Cluster analysis was performed using the SPSS program,
which revealed four major clusters: 1) dura, tenera and pisifera from Paorong Oil Palm Company, Oil Palm
Research Center, dura and tenera from private plantation in Krabi, and dura from Thepa Research Station; 2) dura and tenera from Thai Boonthong Company, pisifera and tenera from Thepa Research Station, dura,
tenera and pisifera from Klong Hoi Khong Research Station; 3) and 4) dura and tenera from Univanit
Company, respectively. In general, a similarity index showed relatively high levels of 0.6 or greater.