Assessment of genetic diversity in three populations of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) using protein-isoenzyme-electrophoretic analysis

Pattern of diversity among fifty-nine cashew accessions of three breeding populations conserved at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Nigeria, was assessed using protein-isozyme marker technique. The accessions grouped into six clusters on the dendrogram of Ward's method of squared Euclidean distance, indicating “moderate” diversity among Nigerian cashew collections. Clustering pattern reflects the eco-geographical origin of the accessions. Closer genetic affinity was observed between Indian and Local clonal populations. The importance of electrophoresis in genetic diversity study was also elucidated.