Diversity analysis based on agro-morphological traits and microsatellite based markers in global germplasm collections of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

Hibiscus sabdariffa L is a bast fibre crop bearing edible calyx. In the present study we characterized geographically diverse accessions (124) of H. sabdariffa var. altissima (HSA) and H. sabdariffa var. sabdariffa (HSS) using 23 morpho-metric (10 qualitative, 13 quantitative) traits and 19 microsatellite based markers (11 ISSRs; 8 SSRs). Wide spectrum diversity for agro-morphological traits recorded. Principal component analysis using 13 quantitative traits explained 9930% of the total variation in the data by first four axes. A total of 91 polymorphic bands were yielded by microsatellite based markers (60 by ISSRs and 31 by SSRs) from them SSRs revealed more polymorphism (PIC = 0.32, polymorphism = 96.87%). The ISSR marker namely U818 exhibited highest primer index (ISPI = 2.275) whereas, SSR marker HA-8 reported highest PIC value (0.495). However, the highest genetic diversity at species level exhibited by ISSR markers (Shannon's index = 0.519, heterozygosity = 0.353). Different diversity parameters, structure and cluster analysis employed in the present study demonstrated more genetic diversity of fibre type roselle accessions (HSA) than calyx type (HSS). Moreover, employed agro-morphological traits and molecular markers complemented each other and imparted greater resolution to understand genetic diversity of roselle plant genetic resources in toto. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.