Genetic diversity assessment of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) genotypes using molecular markers

In the present investigation, 13 genotypes of cucumber were screened for genetic diversity using eight ISSR primers. The six ISSR primers generated 52 alleles. A total of 52 loci were amplified that exhibited 92.30 per cent polymorphism. A maximum of 11 loci were detected by the primer UBC-855 and UBC-890. Unique bands were also observed by the primers namely UBC-808, UBC-840, and UBC-855. The similarity value ranged from 22 per cent to 80 per cent with the average value of 46 per cent. The genotype Pgyn-1 was found most diverse than others with 33 per cent similarity. The 13 genotypes were grouped into two major groups (A and B) based on ISSR markers. Group A consisted of the most diverse genotype, Pgyn-1. Group B contained the maximum number of genotypes and further divided in two major sub clusters IB and IIB. Sub cluster IB includes small sub cluster of seven genotypes in which Pgyn-4 was found separately whereas, sub cluster IIB contained PCUC-35 and Punjab Naveen as well as shared the cluster genetically while they differ a lot in respect to visual identification.