Genetic diversity among germplasms of Diospyros kaki based on SSR markers

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) has been widely cultivated in China but the majority of its germplasm accessions are pollination constant and astringent (PCA) type with serious issues of synonyms and homonyms. In order to identify the germplasm resources, genetic diversity and relationship among 133 accessions originating from China, Japan and America were elucidated based on SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers. A total of 158 alleles and 610 genotypes were obtained from 17 loci, with a mean value Of 9.29 alleles and 35.88 genotypes per locus, respectively. The analysis of genetic variation revealed high SSR polymorphism both in Chinese and Japanese cultivars. Genetic diversity of varieties in Qinling Mountain was highest and Dabieshan Mountain was lowest. The majority of Chinese PCA genotypes were classified into a mixing group without agreement with their geographic origins in the cluster and principal coordinate analysis. All the genotypes of D. kaki wete grouped distantly from the related species which were distinguished completely by 17 SSR markers. A few Chinese PCA cultivars of synonyms or homonyms such as "Niuxinshi", "Damopan" and "Shuishi" were efficiently identified. The results indicated that Chinese PCNA varieties were closely related with Chinese PCA cultivars and revealed relatively distant relationships with Japanese PCNA types. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.