Molecular diversity analysis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) using SSR markers

Rice is the most important staple food crop among the cereals and feeds more than half of the world’s population. Assessment of genetic diversity is of utmost importance in rice breeding from the perspective of selection, conservation and proper utilization. The present study was undertaken with an objective to assess the genetic diversity among 27 rice cultivars with 12 SSR markers. The results revealed a total of 40 alleles were detected across 27 rice cultivars tested. PIC values varied widely among SSR loci tested and it ranged from 0.38 to 0.65, with an average of 0.56 per marker. The 27 rice cultivars were grouped into two major clusters i.e., cluster I and II with similarity coefficient 0.13. Cluster I was sub divided into two minor sub-groups IA and IB having 5 and 8 genotypes respectively. These subgroups were further subdivided into minor groups. In similar way, the second main cluster i.e. Cluster II was also sub divided into two minor sub-groups that is IIA and IIB having 5 and 9 genotypes respectively. These subgroups were further divided into minor groups. This indicated presence of considerable diversity in the genotypes studied and the most diverse cultivars were IR 98846-2-1-2-3 and IR 14D201.