Env Exp Biol (2014) 12: 161–166

Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of landrace and improved chickpea (Cicer arietinum) genotypes using morphological and microsatellite markers

Abstract

Genetic diversity, population structure and relationships of 48 chickpea genotypes comprising 19 Iranian landrace and 29 international lines and cultivars were studied using 38 SSR markers and seven morphological characters. High diversity and coefficients of variation were recorded for all morphological characters. We found considerable diversity, with a mean of three alleles per locus (ranging from 1 to 7); polymorphic information content ranged from 0 to 0.77, with a mean of 0.48. Based on unweighted neighbour joining clustering for morphological and molecular data, genotypes grouped into four and five distinct groups, respectively. Results showed that the introduction of genetic materials from exotic sources broadened the genetic base of the national chickpea breeding programme. Further implications of the findings of this study can be useful for selective breeding of specific traits and in enhancing the genetic base of breeding programmes.