Molecular Characterization and Genetic Divergence Analysis of Traditional and Improved Aromatic Rice Varieties Using Microsatellite Markers

Microsatellite profiling was employed to analyze the nature and extent of differentiation and divergence among eighteen traditional and improved varieties of aromatic rice. Analysis of 18 primers dependent genetic polymorphism revealed 89 shared and 91 unique allelic variants generated in the form of amplified products amongst 18 varieties. Polymorphic information content of the primers ranged from 0.60 to 0.88 with an average of 0.80. Ample genetic differentiation and divergence amongst entries was deduced by a comparison of similarity coefficients. Broadly, the entries were distinctly divided into three multi-genotypic groups, each of which accommodated traditional and improved varieties. However, the first and second groups were dominated by traditional varieties, whereas the third group was dominated by improved varieties. With maximum similarity in respect of targeted genomic regions, Champaran Basmati and Sanwal Basmati (0.45) were accommodated into the first group along with Jeerabati and Rajendra Kasturi (0.45), in addition to Baharni, Birsamati and Kasturi. Spatial distribution pattern of two dimensional ordinations of microsatellite primers specific genetic profiles from traditional and improved varieties completely validated the hierarchical classification pattern exhibited by sequential agglomerative clustering based dendrogram. The varieties from different groups could be utilized in breeding programs for genetic enhancement of aromatic rice germplasm base and molecular profiles could be helpful in preserving the integrity of these valuable aromatic rice varieties.