SSR marker based genetic diversity in sugarcane varieties (lines) developed in Guangxi, China

It is important to identify the genetic diversity amongst sugarcane genetic resources for cultivar development and evaluation of sugarcane varieties. The genetic diversities of 125 sugarcane varieties including 117 varieties (lines) developed in Guangxi (China) and 8 others were studied using 10 SSR markers. The results showed amplification of total 110 bands ranged from 90 to 350 bp in size. The number of bands per locus ranged from 7-14, when scoring was restricted to strongly amplified fragments, and averaged 10.5 polymorphic bands per locus. The ratio of polymorphism was as high as 95.40%. The Shannon’s information index (H) of amplified alleles ranged from 6.85-6.94. By UPGMA cluster analysis, all of the materials, tested using of 10 SSR markers, were distinguished completely. All the materials were clustered in one group at the genetic similarity of 0.4752, and 60.8% of sugarcane varieties (lines) were still clustered together at the genetic similarity of 0.6308, which revealed rather narrow range of variability among them. UPGMA cluster analysis was supported by PCA. Cluster analysis showed that 117 sugarcane varieties (lines) from Guangxi can be completely distinguished by 4 SSR markers. The results obtained in the present study are informative for sugarcane variety protection and parent identification.