Abstract:
Moringa oleifera is an important multipurpose tree introduced to Africa from India at the
turn of this century. Despite limited knowledge of the levels of genetic diversity and
relatedness of introduced populations, their utilization as a source of seed for planting is
widespread. In order to facilitate reasoned scientific decisions on its management and
conservation and prepare for a selective breeding programme, genetic analysis of seven
populations was performed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)
markers. The four pairs of AFLP primers (PstI/MseI) generated a total of 236 amplification
products of which 157 (66.5%) were polymorphic between or within populations.
Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed significant differences between regions
and populations, even though outcrossing perennial plants are expected to maintain most
variation within populations. A phenetic tree illustrating relationships between popula-
tions suggested at least two sources of germplasm introductions to Kenya. The high levels
of population differentiation detected suggest that provenance source is an important
factor in the conservation and exploitation of M. oleifera genetic resources.
