Uncovering genetic diversity and population structure of the multipurpose tree species <i>Moringa oleifera</i>: insights from DArTSeq SNP markers

<i>Moringa oleifera</i>, native to the Himalayas and now widespread in the tropics, is valued for its rich nutrient and antioxidant content. Despite its global presence, its genetic diversity remains underexplored. 3968 SNP markers derived from DArTSeq technology were filtered to 1913 informative markers and used to investigate the genetic makeup of <i>Moringa oleifera</i>. Results showed reasonable genetic diversity, with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.05056 to 0.5008 (average 0.3069). Unweighted neighbour joining phylogeny and principal coordinate analyses identified four geographic clusters: West Africa/Caribbean, East Africa, Southern Africa, and Southeast Asia. Malawi samples clustered distinctly from African samples while Philippine samples clustered separately and farthest, indicating separate introductions. Analysis of Molecular variance showed higher gene flow within populations (77%) than between them (23%). Bayesian modelling in structure confirmed unique clustering in Southern Africa and highlighted significant admixture, suggesting human-mediated introductions. The findings contribute to our understanding of the genetic resources of this important plant species and have implications for germplasm collection, improvement, conservation, utilisation strategies and policies. Further research utilising advanced genomic tools will enhance our knowledge of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> and support its sustainable utilisation for various applications.