Studies on genetic variability in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) using molecular markers

Abstract

Studies were conducted to evaluate the genetic diversity of thirty genotypes of Sorghum using the SSR markers. SSR analysis generated a total of 710 bands from twenty primers, of which 100% were polymorphic. The number of polymorphic allele ranged from 1 to 3 and 100% polymorphism were obtained in the case of twelve primers. Genetic diversity using SSR data as estimated by PIC value for the SSR loci ranged from 0.68 (Xtxp084) to 0.94 (Xtxp114) with an average value of 0.74. Resolving power (RP) value varied from 1.16 (Primer Xtxp084) to 4.98 (Primer Xtxp348), while average RP value for all the primers were 2.62. The cluster dendrogram of SSR primers revealed two major clusters; Cluster one compromising of five genotype and cluster two was the largest and included twenty five genotype. Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity showed that high degree of similarity to the extent of 0.96 exists between genotypes (Pant chari-6 and Pusa Chari-615); (UPFS-32 and U.P. Chari-1) & (J5-73 and HC-308). On the basis of PIC values SSR primers namely Xtxp114, Xtxp321, Xtxp008 and Xtxp007 provide maximum accessions coverage in the sorghum genome. It can be concluded from the current investigation that the genotypes were clearly distinguishable from each other when grouping were carried out using SSR markers. Thus these SSR primers are of high importance in characterization of genotypes in sorghum. Hence SSR primers can be efficiently used for estimation of genetic variability in sorghum. The information generated from current studies can be used in future breeding programs of sorghum improvement for various traits