Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Saccharum Species Clones and Commercial Varieties Employing Molecular (SSR) and Physiological Markers

Genetic diversity of the 38 sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) genotypes was evaluated using 50 microsatellite (SSR) markers and seven morphological markers. A complex PCR banding pattern was observed in all the accessions with SSRs markers. The allelic polymorphism information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.105 to 0.790 with an average of 0.37, indicating markers ability to detect high levels of polymorphism. The value of genetic similarity (GS) co-efficient ranged from 0.33 to 0.84, indicated a broad genetic diversity within sugarcane genotypes. Genetic similarity co-efficient indicated low level of genetic diversity among the S. Officinarum (0.84 similarity), relatively medium level of genetic diversity in S. spontaneum clones (0.78 similarity), and higher degree of genetic diversity in the S. barberi clones, and ISH genotypes (0.77 similarity). The SSRs derived from sugarcane were found to be more informative then the transferred SSRs from other related crops. Comparison between morphological and SSRs data revealed a low correlation among two data. These results suggested that the classification based on morphological characters and microsatellite markers will be useful for sugarcane breeders to plan crosses for agronomic traits. Genetically diverse parents could be identified for broadening the genetic base of sugarcane varieties and varietal development in sugarcane.