Assessment of Genomic Diversity of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) Genotypes using Simple Sequence Repeats Markers through Genetic Analysis Software

The present study was designed to evaluate genetic diversity among twenty cotton genotypes by employing thirty one SSR markers that were reported from Brookheaven National Laboratories. Out of thirty-one primers, six SSR primers were found polymorphic at different SSR loci. Maximum number of loci (33), were amplified by MNH-93, while minimum (22) by 238-F. Total percentage of informative loci was 36.8%. Genetic diversity matrix of these genotypes was calculated by NTSYS-pc 2.2 software. Genetic similarity coefficients ranged from 0.474 to 0.974. The highest dissimilarity (0.474) was observed between genotype 298-F and CIM-496. Cluster analysis as performed using un-weighted pair group method of arithmetic average algorithm showed that Nei and Li's coefficients ranged from 0.63 to 0.97. The dendrogram of cotton lines showed two major clusters except 238-F forming an out-group from other genotypes, thus showing maximum dissimilarity. Genotypes MNH-93 and K-68/9 showed maximum similarity coefficient of 0.97. Information obtained from the present study can be used to select divergent parents for future breeding programs. (C) 2013 Friends Science Publishers