Abstract
Genetic diversity and relationships among 100 genotypes of Rhynchosia minima collected from four districts of Malakand Division was assessed using 16 morphological characteristics and total seed protein profile. Based on qualitative characteristics, inter-district trait similarity index among genotypes of Swat-Dir Lower and Swat-Buner was 100%, while for Dir Lower-Buner, Dir Lower-Dir Upper, and Buner-Dir Upper, it was 85.71%, 28.57%, and 42.85%, respectively. Total seed protein profile resulted in 8 reproducible bands/loci, where inter-district locus contribution to the genetic disagreement was 75%. Among the 8 loci, B-6 and B-7 were monomorphic and could be R. minima specific, whereas loci B-1, B4, B-5 and B-8 were observed only in genotypes collected from Buner. All but locus B-1 were present in genotypes of Dir Upper; locus B-8 was missing in genotypes from Dir Lower; loci B-1 and B-4 were absent in genotypes collected from Swat. Two-way cluster analysis resolved genotypes of District Buner and Dir Upper into discrete clusters, highlighting the role of habitat-specific adaptation. Genotypes of Dir Lower and Swat formed mosaic cluster, indicating to the transfer of genes and/or their coevolutionary descent. To the best of our understanding, this is the first ever report addressing genetic variability in R. minima.