Evolutionary Relationship and Divergence Based on SDS-PAGE of Elaeagnus umbellata (Thunb.) Populations, a Multipurpose Plant from the Himalayas

Authors: SYED DILNAWAZ AHMAD, SYED MUBASHAR SABIR, HALIMI MOHAMMED SAUD, YOUSAF SALIHUDDIN

Abstract: Elaeagnus umbellata (Thunb.), commonly known as autumn olive, belongs to the family Elaeagnaceae and is native to the Himalayan regions of Pakistan, China, and India and is also found in Korea and Japan. The seeds of 8 ecotypes from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, were analyzed at UPM Malaysia for comparisons of their relationship and evolution based on SDS-PAGE of total seed proteins. The results indicated that each autumn olive population can be distinguished by their own specific protein bands with reference to a molecular weight marker included in the gel. The dendrogram based on computer package analysis indicated that populations having the same base of origin fall under 2 simultaneous groups, i.e. P6 and P8 in one group and P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P7 in the second group. The distribution of the populations was variable irrespective of their physical location as the seeds of the plant may have been dispersed by birds from distant places. SDS-PAGE thus provided valuable information for the identification of populations and could be utilized for population and varietals discrimination as well as seed quality test in true to type seed producing plants.

Keywords: Elaeagnus umbellata, SDS-PAGE, biochemical analysis, evolutionary pattern, Azad Kashmir

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