Genetic diversity analysis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm of Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

The rice landraces/farmers’ varieties maintained by farming communities over centuries under diverse agro-climatic situations of Jammu region remained unexploited for utilizing useful allelic diversity in breeding programs. A set of 25 rice genotypes including landraces, introductions, farmers’ collections and released varieties were subjected to morphological characterization considering panicle traits, spikelet descriptors and 13-grain yield attributing traits. Molecular characterization of the germplasm was also done using a set of 30 microsatellites (SSR) markers. The genotypes showed highly significant variations for panicle length, panicles per plant, no. of tillers per plant, grain length, 1000 grain weight and grain yield per plant. Principal component analysis revealed that GIZA14 exhibited maximum distance from other genotypes. Based on multivariate analyses, the traditional and local genotypes, including landraces, showed maximum genetic distance from released check genotypes. The analyses based on genotyping with SSR markers indicated closer genetic similarity within Farmers’ collection from Kishtwar (KRC) and Paddar (PRC) groups, suggesting their common origin. Basmati genotypes were grouped together in one sub-cluster, and many of the farmers’ collections/landraces with check varieties in another indicated that many of the farmers’ collections were released (used as check varieties), saved and recycled by farmers over the years. PRC 2, PRC 3, and Ratta Ranjha were grouped closer. Thus, molecular marker (SSR) based genomic characterization of genotypes supported by matching phenotypic characterization patterns proved helpful in characterizing genetic diversity, identifying diverse and similar genotypes, and identifying specific genotypes for specific traits of agronomic/economic importance.