Genetic diversity analysis of Indian sugarcane breeding pool based on sugarcane specific STMS markers

Eighteen sugarcane specific STMS markers developed from Genbank databases were used to analyze the genetic divergence of 54 Indian genetic stocks comprising of hybrids, inbreds, induced mutants and somaclones. Moderate genetic diversity was observed in 25 commercial hybrids. Eighteen inbreds, six each developed from three proven parents exhibited high levels of within-group genetic similarity. The mutants and somaclones derived from a variety exhibited highly similar molecular profiles. UPGMA dendrogram based on combined analysis of diversity based on 221 different bands revealed five distinct clusters, somaclones and mutants constituting cluster 1, commercial hybrids in cluster 2 and inbreds falling in clusters 3, 4 and 5. The study revealed that genetic base of sugarcane germplasm used in varietal improvement in India is reasonably large. Based on diversity estimates, several genetically diverse combinations were identified. Inbreds constituted a more diverse genetic material for crossing programs to derive heterotic types.