Genetic diversity in the natural population of threatened fruit- bearing plant species Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A.D.

Monotheca buxifolia is an ethnomedicinally and economically important threatened fruit bearing plant species in Malakand Division Pakistan. The genetic diversity among the 92 various genotypes of Monotheca buxifolia was carried out using sodium dodecyl sulfate poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) method. A considerable amount of inter districts genetic diversity (66.70%) was observed among the genotypes of M. buxifolia. Protein profiling was conducted on 12% gel electrophoresis. A total of 6 protein bands were observed in M. buxifolia genotypes. SDS-PAGE practice is a convenient scheme for the examination of both genetic diversity and relationship. Particularly, L-4 and L-5 were monomorphic in the inter districts Monotheca buxifolia genotypes and was recognized as species specific. The remaining other loci were polymorphic. In this investigation, the high inter and intra- districts specific diversity was observed demonstrating SDS-PAGE is an authoritative procedure for categorizing the genetically diverse germplasms in M. buxifolia. The findings from this study could be useful in the identification and selection of suitable M. buxifolia genotypes for future conservation programmes. Today, there is still a need to examine the genetic diversity and protect genetic resources, in particular wild species, for possible benefits in plant conservation programmes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever report that addresses genetic variability in M. buxifolia.