Molecular marker based genetic relatedness assessment for short duration Rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties using microsatellite (SSRs) markers

Abstract

Knowledge on genetic relatedness between genotypes that are used in hybridization programmes is very useful for plant breeders as it supports the decisions on the selection of cross combinations from large sets of parental lines. It also helps to widen the genetic base of varieties in a breeding programme. With this in view this investigation was carried out with the objective of estimating genetic relatedness present in a set of 29 short duration rice varieties recommended for cultivation in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, using SSR makers. Genetic relatedness assessed with 18 polymorphic SSRs had generated 51 alleles and maximum of five alleles were observed in RM-7 and RM-515 loci. Maximum PIC value of 0.742 was observed in RM-515. Cluster analysis performed using Jaccard’s similarity coefficient had generated a dendrogram producing two major clusters at 30 per cent similarity and resulted in the identification of diverse clusters. The genetic relatedness of the 29 short duration rice varieties was observed to be narrow and, therefore, it is necessary to broaden the rice gene pool through introduction of new genes from new and diverse sources.