SSR Based Genetic Diversity In Indian Flue-Cured Virginia Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) Cultivars

Abstract

The genetic diversity among 24 Flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco cultivars was investigated using 20 SSR primers. Distinct polymorphism was noticed among closely related cultivars studied indicating the robust nature of microsatellites in revealing polymorphism. A total of 78 amplicons were produced of which 48% were polymorphic among the varieties. The pairwise similarity among the varieties ranged from 0.54 to 0.91, indicated a broad genetic base of the tested genotypes which could be due to use of divergent parents including exotic introductions and local selections in breeding for different quality and physiological traits. Varieties developed indigenously through different breeding methods were clustered together whereas exotic introductions and their derivatives were grouped together separately. Genetic relationship among the FCV tobacco varieties based on polymorphic DNA profile largely corresponded with parentage. The SSR based analysis in the present study suggested that the Indian tobacco breeding has been successful in developing varieties with a relative broader genetic base.