<b>Genetic similarity among four species of Plectranthus genus</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v32i1.880

Abstract

Medicinal plants are widely used by the population, therefore they are important sources of natural chemical products. Plectranthus includes species related as “boldo” that have anti-dyspeptics, analgesic and stimulants of digestion properties. Related species or genotypes can differ widely in the amount of natural active principles, in such case the lack of genetic fitness can lead to the use of not appropriate plants to the population health. Molecular techniques can be used for DNA-fingerprinting of plants providing its correct identification. This work aimed at verifying the genetic diversity among four species of Plectranthus genus (P. grandis, P. barbatus, P. neochilus e P. amboinicus) collected from different places, using the RAPD technique. Higher genetic similarity was observed between species P. neochilus and P. amboinicus (80%), followed by P. grandis and P. barbatus (77%). P. barbatus genotypes from different places presented higher genetic similarity (near 100%). The variability detected by RAPD markers allowed a clear differentiation among the four analyzed species, showing a genetic similarity average of 53%, with a high correlation value (r = 0.99), demonstrating high representation of the genetic similarity in the graphic.