Abstract

Onion diversity analysis using morphological and molecular approaches

Author(s): G.G.Adsul, A.V.Dhake, R.M.Kothari

In this mini review, significance of onion as an important vegetable for world-wide cultures has inadvertently set the tone to genetic diversity among onions and its significance. This diversity study has used five data sets, only to prove their partial utility to properly classify this vast genus Allium. These studies have brought out limitations of biochemical (isozyme) data as well as molecular data. These limitations have led to development of techniques/concepts of RAPD, GISH and RFLP, along with refinement in DNA isolation procedures from onion and electrophoretic separation procedures to minimize ambiguities in interpretation of data, be it on an evaluation of cytoplasm N, S and T or evaluation of onion genome from major onion producing countries. This work has thus laid a firmfoundation for onion improvement program for inducing traits desired by consumers and for industrial applications.