Assessment of genetic diversity in kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes in relation to seed size using SSR markers

Fifteen kabuli chickpea genotypes varying in seed size were subjected to 42 SSR analyses for assessment of genetic diversity. Among 42 markers, 30 SSR markers revealed 71 alleles ranging from 2 to 4 alleles per locus with an average of 2.37 alleles per locus. The Polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.125(CaSTMS5) to 0.721 (TA146) with an average of 0.415. The genetic dissimilarity index between genotypes ranged from 0.091 to 0.514. Cluster analysis using UPGMA method classified genotypes into two major groups comprising seven genotypes each while one large-seeded genotype GLK26171 showed divergence from the clustered analysis for diversity for use. The results showed that SSR can provide practical information for the management of genetic resources in chickpea breeding program.