Population structure and genetic diversity analysis of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) using molecular markers

Abstract

A total of 101 molecular markers and 367 peanut germplasm resources were selected for population structure and genetic diversity analysis in the study, resulting in 503 alleles. The mean values of gene diversity (GD) and polymorphic information content (PIC) were 0.495 and 0.432, respectively. The average genetic distance was 0.470, and 42% with distance greater than 0.5 was identified. Results from UPGMA clustering were in accordance with those from STRUCTURE, and both identified two major groups, representing subspecies fastigiata and hypogaea, which were closely related to botanical types. Peanut germplasm resources from different areas were gathered based on principal component analysis using Dice’s index, showing obvious ecological adaptability. The results showed abundant genetic diversity existed in the peanut population, and provided important information for constructing association mapping population and for further marker-trait association analysis, and it could be used by breeding programs to understand the peanut genetic variation worldwide and broaden the genetic base of peanut varieties.