Assessment of Genetic Diversity of Elite Indian Rice Varieties Using Agro-Morphological Traits and SSR Markers

Assessment of genetic variability of the crop varieties is essential to assure selection of genetically divergent lines useful for the future breeding programmes. Thus, genetic diversity assessment of 24 elite Indian rice varieties was performed based on 24 agro-morphological traits and 86 SSR markers. The morphological and grain traits exhibiting significant variation are useful for discrimination of the rice varieties and were confirmed by Principal Component Analysis. Genetic diversity assessment based on SSR markers displayed genetic similarity coefficients and grouped the varieties into five major clusters. The genetic population structure obtained was predominantly associated with UPGMA clustering and the structure bar plot. Cluster analysis based on both phenotype and SSR marker data did not show perfect congruence between the two measures of genetic diversity. However, the correlation between morphological and molecular diversity was positive and significant (r = 0.36 P<10-4) indicating usefulness in classification of rice varieties.