GENETIC DIVERSITY OF Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong. IN THE LOW SAN FRANCISCO RIVER BY RAPD MARKERS

Enterolobium contortisiliquum Vell. Morong (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae) is very much used in riparian forest restoration programs in the Low San Francisco River because of its fast initial growth. The objective of this work was to evaluate by RAPD molecular markers the genetic diversity of eight individuals of a remaining population of this species, in order to contribute for the definition of strategies for seed production. The individuals are situated in an area of 100ha in the riparian forest of the Low San Francisco River. DNA extraction was carried out with young and tender leaves using 2% CTAB. Twenty primers of ten arbitrary sequence bases were used. The products were separated in 0.8% agarose horizontal gel electrophoresis, stained with Ethidium Bromide and visualized with ultraviolet light. The genetic similarity among the individuals was calculated by Jaccard Similarity Coefficient and dendrograms were obtained using the UPGMA method. The mean value for genetic diversity among individuals was 49%, varying from 33% to 85%. Individuals 6 and 7 showed a high genetic similarity (67%). Therefore, their planting or direct seeding to restore riparian areas is not indicated in places near to each other. The results showed that strategies for seed collection and seedling production can be developed to assist in restoration programs.