Morpho-agronomic and molecular comparison of fourteen varieties of rice (Oryza sativa) with the lines that gave them the origin

Abstract

This research aimed to determine the morpho-agronomic, grain quality, and molecular differences between 14 rice varieties and their ancestors. These rice varieties from Latin America were tested for 25 variables in a randomized complete block design with 28 genotypes, two planting dates, and three replications. The molecular analysis was done using an array of 96 SNP markers with a high discrimination capacity for Indica rice. A combined statistical analysis was done because there were no statistical differences between the planting dates. Also, molecular, morpho-agronomic, and grain quality data were analyzed together, using the Gower index to generate a similarity matrix. Agronomic and molecular data were analyzed both, together and independently, through the SAS program. Results showed that eight varieties were grouped with their respective ancestor, and one variety was grouped with a sibling of their ancestor and was consistent in all the analyses. However, given the wide heterozygosity found within the varieties, distinctive genetic profiles could not be established; the varieties must be purified to establish their genetic footprint.