Genetic diversity assessment and genotype identification in sugarcane based on DNA markers and morphological traits

Abstract

Sugarcane is known for its highly complex genetics and more knowledge is needed for better use and conservation of genetic materials. In order to identify genotypes and to assess genetic diversity, diverse data sets such as morphological and molecular markers are used as a general approach. To evaluate the usefulness of different markers, important sugarcane genotypes in Argentina were characterized by AFLP, SSR and morphological traits. All genotypes characterized were grouped in one main cluster in dendrograms using two independent softwares. Interestingly, local genotypes grouped together with USA varieties and no clear genetic differentiation could be found probably due to intensive germplasm exchange between these breeding programs. The molecular markers tested were useful for genetic diversity assessment as well as for genotype identification. These markers should be included in the internationally established characters for sugarcane variety protection as they give a better view on whole genome complexity. Additionally, genetic similarities obtained from molecular markers will provide more accurate information to breeders than the pedigree method, especially when considering the asymmetric genetic inheritance of sugarcane. Morphological traits are valuable tools to identify genotypes since they reflect external resemblance more than genetic relatedness. When they were combined with molecular markers the dendogram obtained revealed genetic relationships and the genetic diversity was better estimated. In summary, both methods appear to be useful, complementing each other and should be used together to assist sugarcane breeders in estimating genetic diversity, electing parents for crossings, identifying superior lines and to protect intellectual property rights.

Molecular Characterization of Sugarcane Genotypes using SSR Markers

“…The SSR primer RM320 had the highest efficacy for DNA profiling and varietal identification. Perera et al (2012), reported that in sugarcane among the 36 genotypes, related genotypes tended to group together, as well as those from the same origin in the dendrogram created using 15 SSR primers.…”

Genetic diversity in sugarcane varieties in Brazil based on the Ward-Modified Location Model clustering strategy

“…In sugarcane, studies evaluating the genetic diversity have been conducted with the use of quantitative and qualitative traits, and/or with molecular markers (Da Silva et al, 2008;Oliveira et al, 2009;Duarte Filho et al, 2010;Dutra Filho et al, 2011;Sindhu et al, 2011;Santos et al, 2012;Santchurn et al, 2012;Perera et al, 2012). In these works, a high degree of genetic similarity between the genotypes has been found, resulting in the formation of few groups.…”

Genetic diversity in intraspecific hybrid populations of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver evaluated from ISSR and SRAP molecular marker analysis

“…Using genetically distant germplasm as parents to generate better performing hybrids is important for breeding programs (Perera et al, 2012). In traditional E. ulmoides breeding, morphological, physical, and chemical characters were used to analyze the varieties.…”

“…There is a limited number of molecular studies that have focused on the genetic diversity of intraspecific genotypes and their hybrid progenies. Meanwhile, cross hybridization between diverse elite parental clones to create progenies with maximum genetic variations is important for improving breeding processes (Perera et al, 2012). Among various molecular tools for genetic analysis, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) is a powerful tool, because its application does not need any prior information about the target sequences in the genome (Wang et al, 2012).…”