Sex detection of Carica papaya and Cycas circinalis in pre-flowering stage by ISSR and RAPD

Abstract

The sex of Carica papaya, an angiosperm and Cycas circinalis, a gymnosperm was studied using ISSR and RAPD techniques in pre-flowering stage. One female-specific band generated from ISSR profile using primer (GACA)(4) was detected in papaya, which seems to have importance from agricultural point of view. Sequencing of a male-specific RAPD band (PCR with primer OPB 01) in C circinalis revealed homology with putative retro elements of diverse plants, probably indicating its use in the detection of male C. circinalis in future.