Exploring Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of a Wild Sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) Germplasm Collected from Southern States of India
摘要
It is important to understand the genetic diversity present in the genetic resources at both morphological and molecular level for conserving and utilizing the germplasm in breeding programs. Nevertheless, the patterns of genetic diversity and population structure are still inadequately defined, rendering germplasm conservation and breeding initiatives challenging to achieve. Consequently, this research seeks to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of 46 wild sugarcane accessions were gathered from various geographic locations of Southern India. Genetic diversity among 46 wild sugarcane accessions was determined using 11 morphological traits and 11 SSR primers. To assess the genetic diversity, data on morphological traits were recorded during the year 2023–2024 using standard PPV FRA descriptors available for Sugarcane. Eleven morphological traits observed across the 46 Wild sugarcane accessions showed wide variation and grouped various test genotypes into five clusters. Eleven Simple Sequence Repeats were used to evaluate genetic diversity and population structure. Based on Cluster analysis using SSR data differentiated 46 wild sugarcane accessions into five major clusters. Bayesian structure analysis clustered the 46 accessions into two and also showed the extent of admixture within individuals. Clustering pattern based on SSR marker profiles was different from that of morphological traits of wild sugarcane accessions used in this study.