Molecular Analysis in Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera l.) Influenced by mutagenic effect of colchicine

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

1 Department of Ornamental Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University

2 department of ornamental horticulture , faculty of agriculture , cairo university

3 genetics department, faculty of agriculture Cairo university

4 Department of ornamental horticulyure, fauclty of agriculture, cairo university

10.22059/ijhst.2025.375685.833

Abstract

The genetic field and the Ashwagandha plant are of great importance at the present time. Therefore, this research was studied to determine the effect of colchicine on the Ashwagandha plant in a preliminary manner, and these results were recorded. Colchicine was used in concentrations of 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 % for the duration of 12, 24, and 36 h. The effects of time showed differences in results throughout the two generations. Molecular markers based on a SCoT-PCR produced a total number of 260 bands with an average of 28.89 bands per primer. The phylogenetic tree constructed using SCoT was successful in differentiating between treatment plants and control. The morphological responses with molecular data contained in the various colchicine treatments illustrated the utility of SCoT-PCR as a method for detecting the colchicine effect treatments and identifying useful mutants in Ashwagandha. Results recommend the 0.5% colchicine for efficient breeding of Ashwagandha mutation and genetic improvement.

Keywords