Single primer amplification reaction (SPAR) reveals inter- and intra-specific natural genetic variation in five species of Cymbidium (Orchidaceae).

A total of 53 primers belonging to three SPAR methods, viz. RAPD, ISSR and DAMD, collectively produced 456 polymorphic amplicons with 96.6% polymorphism at inter-specific level in five species of Cymbidium, viz. C. aloifolium, C. mastersii, C. elegans, C. eburneum and C. tigrinum, whereas at intra-specific level, the observed polymorphism ranged from 51.2% to 77.1% among them. Three SPARs collectively revealed 25 unique species-specific amplicons; most of them were amplified with RAPD and DAMD primers besides few bands which were either missed (absent) or lost (heterozygosity). UPGMA clustering evidently distinguished the representatives of C. aloifolium and C. tigrinum, with distinct genetic distance, which may be due to their entirely different habitats as well as discrete morphological characteristics. Upon analysis of the data generated, all the three SPAR methods, either independently and/or in combination, revealed wide range of genetic variation between and within five species of Cymbidium. Comparison of matrix of individual SPAR method revealed that analysis of natural genetic variation using combination of SPAR methods, rather than an isolated approach, is highly effective. The critical analyses of the amplicon data are indicative of DAMD as the most powerful SPAR method by showing highest resolving power (Rp) followed by ISSR and RAPD. Alternatively, the total polymorphic information content was highest in case of RAPD followed by other two SPAR methods. Thus, the present investigation for the first time provides a valuable baseline data for genetic variation at inter- and intra-specific levels in horticultural Cymbidiums and also addresses conservation concerns.