Identification of genetic variability among Alectra vogelii strains from different geographical locations

Abstract

Alectra vogelii threatens cowpea production in Sub-Saharan Africa. The weed complicates the development and operation of effective control tactics. For DNA extraction, young leaf samples of A. vogelii were taken directly from infested cowpea fields. The study used 23 SSR markers to determine genetic heterogeneity among A. vogelii populations, which will help design and implement effective breeding techniques and other parasite control approaches. The effective number of alleles was 1.5648, the observed number of alleles was 8, the anticipated heterozygosity was 0.648, and Shannon's Information index was 0.5169. PIC was 0.8301 on average. The Fst between populations was 0.2986, leaving 70.14 percent genetic variation within populations. A NTSYS-pc (UPGMA) dendrogram developed three clusters. More information on genetic heterogeneity among existing Alectra strains was gathered to help expand the cowpea gene pool for selection and creation of resistant genotypes.