Molecular characterisation of soybean varieties by SSR markers

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is one of the most economically important legumes. As the source of plant protein and vegetable oil it is used as food and industrial crop in many regions of the world. The genetic base of soybean cultivars is highly narrow, corresponding to the fact that it is largely a self-pollinated species. Twelve soybean varieties were evaluated with SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers selected based on their distribution on the 20 genetic linkage groups. Out of 36 SSR markers, 33 markers were found polymorphic among analyzed genotypes. Total number of alleles was 88, ranging between two and four with an average of 2.67 alleles per marker. The polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.153 (Satt229, Satt239 and Satt327) to 0.775 (Satt276). Simple matching similarity coefficient was calculated using NTSYSpc2 program package. The average genetic similarity coefficient for all pairwise was 0.57, with highest value (0.84) between Galina and Lela, while the lowest value (0.46) was found between Bosa and Nena. Dendrogram by the UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) method was constructed on the basis of genetic similarity matrix. Genotypes were distributed in two groups and one branch, mostly in accordance with their pedigree.