Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Broomcorn Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) Cultivars and Landraces in China Based on Microsatellite Markers

Abstract

Broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), one of the first domesticated crops, has been grown in Northern China for at least 10,000 years. The species is presently a minor crop, and evaluation of its genetic diversity has been very limited. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity of 88 accessions of broomcorn millet collected from various provinces of China. Amplification with 67 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers revealed moderate levels of diversity in the investigated accessions. A total of 179 alleles were detected, with an average of 2.7 alleles per locus. Polymorphism information content and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.043 to 0.729 (mean = 0.376) and 0.045 to 0.771 (mean = 0.445), respectively. Cluster analysis based on the unweighted pair group method of mathematical averages separated the 88 accessions into four groups at a genetic similarity level of 0.633. A genetic structure assay indicated a close correlation between geographical regions and genetic diversity. The uncovered information will be valuable for defining gene pools and developing breeding programs for broomcorn millet. Furthermore, the millet-specific SSR markers developed in this study should serve as useful tools for assessment of genetic diversity and elucidation of population structure in broomcorn millet.

Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) and Its Potential for Cultivation in the Pacific Northwest, U.S.: A Review

“…Cultivars were also grouped according to the geographical regions in which they were registered, with specific varieties and their parents often placed in the same group, also similar to the findings of M’Ribu and Hilu (1994), Hu et al (2009), and Cho et al (2010). These results suggest that breeding of proso millet in specific regions has proceeded in isolation (Liu et al, 2016). Similar to Trivedi et al (2015), Liu et al (2016) observed abundant morphological variation in the Chinese accessions, but more molecular markers or different types of markers are needed to assess their genetic diversity.…”

“…These results suggest that breeding of proso millet in specific regions has proceeded in isolation (Liu et al, 2016). Similar to Trivedi et al (2015), Liu et al (2016) observed abundant morphological variation in the Chinese accessions, but more molecular markers or different types of markers are needed to assess their genetic diversity. These Chinese gene pools could also be valuable to future proso millet breeding programs since some accessions and ecotypes could be suitable to particular regions in the PNW.…”

“…Liu et al (2016) used high-throughput sequencing to develop SSR markers specific to proso millet and thus increase the number of SSR markers researchers can use. They generated 500 primer pairs which they screened on eight accessions randomly selected from a pool of 73 Chinese accessions.…”

“…In addition, molecular markers were used to trace the spread of proso millet from its center of domestication, and identify its wild progenitor. However, in relation to its abundant morphological variations, the genetic diversity of proso millet has not yet been adequately assessed (Trivedi et al, 2015; Liu et al, 2016). As in other millets, there are no mutants or mutant populations in proso millet to study gene functions through reverse genetics (Saha et al, 2016); the waxy mutants are natural variants of the waxy gene (Hunt et al, 2010).…”

Identification of Resistance to Wet Bubble Disease and Genetic Diversity in Wild and Cultivated Strains of Agaricus bisporus

“…SSR markers have proven to be simple, useful, and reliable for germplasm identification, genetic diversity studies, linkage map construction, and molecular marker-assisted selection in breeding [31,32,33,34,35]. Until now, only 33 useful SSR markers have been developed for A. bisporus [36].…”