Genetic Diversity and Allelic Frequency of Selected Thai and Exotic Rice Germplasm Using SSR Markers

A collection of 167 Thai and exotic rice accessions was subjected for evaluation of genetic diversity and assessment of relationship by simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Among a total of 49 SSR markers, 13 markers distributing over 12 rice chromosomes showed clear polymorphic band patterns, and they were selected for genetic assessment. A total of 110 alleles were detected with an average of 8.46 alleles per locus. The averages of gene diversity, heterozygosity and polymorphic information content were 0.59, 0.02 and 0.56, respectively. The unweighted-pair group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) clustering analysis was performed for genetic distance, and phylogenetic tree was constructed. The result showed that this rice collection was divided into two major groups, classified as japonica and indica subspecies. Within the japonica group, temperate japonica and tropical japonica subgroups can be clearly separated. Three-dimensional principal component analysis projection and model-based population structure analysis showed consistent clustering results with two major groups of UPGMA analysis, supporting the classification of japonica and indica subspecies. The indica allelic frequency was also investigated to provide an indicative guide for breeders to overcome the practical problems on sterility of inter-subspecies hybrid offspring. This rice collection and information obtained in this study will be useful for rice breeding programs.