Genetic diversity analysis and molecular characterization of grain amaranth genotypes using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers

Abstract

The set of 11 polymorphic ISSR primers produced a total of 114 amplicons, among which 98 amplicons were polymorphic. The mean number of polymorphic amplicons per primer was 8.91. Overall, the size of PCR-amplified DNA fragments ranged from 200 to 3702 bp. The average percent polymorphism was 87.15%, and the average PIC value was 0.853, which indicates good selection of primers in the present study for the assessment of genetic diversity. The unique amplicon (marker)-producing primers were also found which can be used for identification of genotypes. The dendrogram grouped 19 grain amaranth genotypes into two major clusters. The groups formed on the principle component analysis (PCA) plot resembles with the results of the dendrogram although some genotypes have been diverted on the PCA plot.