SSR Marker Based Molecular Characterisation of Finger Millet Accessions of India and Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Molecular characterisation of germplasm accessions gives precise information about the
extent of genetic diversity which helps in the development of appropriate breeding and
conservation programs. Although most of the crops has gained much progress with the
advancement of molecular marker technology, Finger millet is still in its initial stage of
improvement and it requires to be focused in large scale since Finger millet is more nutritious
than most of the other cereal grains.
This study was conducted to reveal the genetic diversity of Finger millet accessions of India
and 15 accessions of Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka using ten SSR (Simple Sequence
Repeats) markers (UGEP 05, 10, 12, 15, 24, 68, 81, 102, 106 and 110).
Genetic distances between Finger millet accessions were explored using frequency based
shared allele distance matrix. The highest distance of 0.9000 was observed between accession
No.000924 (India) and 000926 (India), 000962 (India), 000964 (India), 001766
(Anuradhapura), 007613 (Anuradhapura). Accession No: 000925 (India) and 000927 (India);
005047 (Anuradhapura) and 006572 (Anuradhapura); 007072 (Anuradhapura), 001201
(Anuradhapura) and 007071 (Anuradhapura); 001766 (Anuradhapura) and 007770
(Anuradhapura); 000964 (India) and 007614 (Anuradhapura) showed significant genetic
similarity. Dendrogram constructed on the basis of SSR polymorphism contained two main
clusters leaving five of the Indian accessions as an out group. One main cluster comprised
entirely of four accessions of India while the other having accessions of Anuradhapura with
seven remaining Indian accessions. Comparatively higher genetic diversity was observed
within Indian accessions than that of Anuradhapura district. Clustering of seven Indian
accessions with that of Anuradhapura district implies their genetic relatedness irrespective to
their geographical origin. Genetically distinct individuals identified within Indian accessions
and between Indian and Anuradhapura accessions from the study can be considered as
potential candidates in crop improvement programs.
Keywords: Finger millet, SSR, Genetic diversity