Analysis of genetic diversity of Sorghum bicolor ssp. bicolor (L.) moench using ISSR markers

Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the origins and centers of genetic diversity of sorghum. As sorghum ranks fifth in global cereal production, the study of its genetic diversity from its center of origin is important for its improvement. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the within and among population genetic diversity of sorghum from Ethiopia using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat markers. Eight individuals from each of eleven sorghum populations of highland, intermediate and lowland ecological zones and one population of improved variety and stay-green cultivars were used for the study. DNA was extracted from young leaves and PCR was conducted using seven primers. A total of 55 clear and reproducible bands with 100% polymorphism were generated. The total genetic diversity (GD) and Shannon's diversity index (I) were 0.205 and 0.296, respectively. North Gondar Intermediate altitude population showed the highest gene diversity (0.3) while the lowest diversity (0.1) was exhibited by North Shewa population. AMO VA showed that 44.45, 30.84 and 24.71 % of the total variation was attributed to within populations, among populations and among groups, respectively. Group based UPGMA exhibited four distinct clusters whereas the population based UPGMA showed all populations clustered within its own ecological zone except North Gondar (IJ intermediate altitude population and improved varieties and stay-green (IM) individuals that were clustered in the highland populations. Intermediate altitude populations exhibited higher genetic diversity than low and high altitude populations indicating these high and low altitude populations may have originated from the intermediates through ecological adaptations. © 2013 Asian Network for Scientific Information.