Evaluation of selected Andaman Tall coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) population for uniformity, stability and genetic variation using microsatellite markers

Tall coconut genotypes of Andaman were investigated using phenotypic traits and molecular marker analysis to determine genetic consistency. A set of 35 Andaman Tall coconut genotypes was subjected to molecular analysis using fourteen SSR primers. Uniform banding profiles were obtained with 10 out of 14 primers, while four primers exhibited polymorphism, indicating a relatively high level of genetic similarity with moderate genetic variation among the genotypes. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into three major clusters, with twelve genotypes in Cluster I, twenty-one in Cluster II and two in Cluster III. From the present study, it is inferred that seed nuts should preferably be collected from mother palms exhibiting consistent and stable phenotypic traits across seasons and from isolated or controlled pollination setups (interse mating), to maintain true-to-type progenies and preserve genetic uniformity. The findings of this study demonstrate that SSR-based molecular markers can serve as an effective tool for identifying genetically true-to-type mother palms for coconut varietal improvement programmes.