Analysing Solanum tuberosum L. Genetic Divergence using Molecular Marker Data

Genetic polymorphism has important implications for the conservation and evolutionary studies among species as well as within genomes. Hence an enhanced understanding of intra-specific heterogeneity is anticipated which is and based on accurate database or unruffled by environmental conditions. In this context, molecular markers due to their simplicity and ubiquity have been used for genetic divergence studies of tetraploid potato. In the present study genetic diversity, marker attributes and population structure of 48 potato genotypes based on 20 SSR markers data were analysed which were able to successfully generate significant levels of DNA polymorphism to discriminate the experimental material. A total of 33 different loci were amplified that exhibited an average of 90 per cent polymorphism. The PIC value ranged from 0.11 to 0.70. PCR amplification exhibited genetic diversity was analyzed using program NTSYS-PC 2.21. Similarity coefficient or Jaccard coefficient were calculated using SIMQUAL program which varied from 0.32 to 0.92 and dendogram constructed using UPGMA cluster analysis ordered the populations of 48 genotypes into ten clusters. The maximum genetic similarity (0.92) was found between Pant Sel-09 and Pant Sel-09-04 and lowest (0.32) between Pant Sel-09-20 and Pant Sel-09-01. Most diverse groups found were cluster X and cluster II thus, can be utilized as diverse parents in potato breeding programmes.