Molecular marker-based characterization and genetic diversity of pomegranate genotypes

Abstract

Genetic diversity in pomegranate genotypes was assessed using 47 SSR markers. A total of 3,154 alleles were amplified with an average of 105 alleles per genotype. Number of bands amplified ranged from as low as 92 in Russian Seedling to as high as114 in Shirin Anar. The number of alleles detected for 47 SSR primers ranged from 1 to 4 with an average of 2.15 alleles per primer pair. The polymorphism information content (PIC) of SSR markers ranged between 0.0 and 0.66 with an average value of 0.43 per locus. Genetic similarities among 30 pomegranate genotypes varied from 0.78 to 0.95. The UPGMA dendrogram cluster analysis grouped the pomegranate genotypes into three major clusters (I, II and III). Maximum number of (21) genotypes were clubbed in cluster III and further subdivided into three different sub-clusters IIIA, IIIB and IIIC. UPGMA dendrogram generated showed some genotypes from same province clustered in one group like genotypes Kali Shirin, Anar Shirin, Shirin Anar, Anar Shirin Mohamad Ali Anar Moherab Shirin and Panipat Selection collected from Hisar (India) clustered in cluster IIIA and genotypes Moga Local, P-26, Khog, Ps-75-K3 and Kandhari Ganga Nagari grouped in cluster II were collected from Punjab. SSR markers as an excellent genetic marker system revealed a considerable variation and provided accurate genetic information for allelic profile of genotypes in pomegranate germplasm.