Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Gender in a dioecious tree species is generally identified at reproductive phase. In case nursery growers are able to know the gender at early stage of growth (seedling stage) it will be economically beneficial. The present investigations are undertaken verifying this fact in view and Populus ciliata was taken as first plant. It is hypothesized that in plants where the sex chromosomes are not identified, there may be a region in the genome or DNA of the tree which may influence the gender of the plant. RAPD markers were used as a tool of study along with variation in leaf morphological characters between male and female mature trees. Out of ten polymorphic random primers used, one primer (OPK-20) gave significant difference between male and female trees and identified as female specific marker (OPK-20400, OPK-20500 and OPK-20800). This marker is distinct to determine the sex of P. ciliata at an early stage. The qualitative traits (i.e., shape of base and tip of leaf blade, sinus with petiole, pubescence on the lower surface of the leaf blade, leaf margin and colour of the blade) and quantitative traits (i.e., LA, L/W%, P/N%, perimeter, aspect ratio and shape factor) in male and female tree showed that three qualitative characters (shape of base of leaf blade, sinus with petiole and leaf margin) were distinct in male and female trees. The quantitative parameters, except the shape factor showed non-significant differences. It is concluded that qualitative differences exists between the two genders in P. ciliata besides the specific marker.

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