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International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics

Year: 2008 | Volume: 2 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 35-41
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Authors

E. Chakauya

P. Tongoona

Keywords

Research Article

Analysis of Genetic Relationships of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Landraces from Zimbabwe, Using Microsatellites

E. Chakauya and P. Tongoona
Pearl millet landraces collected from two districts of Zimbabwe, Nyanga North and Tsholotsho were analysed to assess genetic relationships based on ten microsatellite primers and indigenous farmer given names. Analysis was done by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis stained with ethidium bromide. Simple matching coefficients were compared and the genetic relationships between genotypes were clarified on dendrograms by unweighted pair-group averages (UPGMA). Two polymorphic primers (PSMP2008 and PSMP2013) were able to detect some level of polymorphism at DNA level clustering the landraces into four major clusters joined at 64% similarity level. Sixteen accessions from Nyanga were identical to those from Tsholotsho. Fourteen accessions from Nyanga and 18 from Tsholotsho were identical to at least one genotype from the same district. Despite the same local names, genotypes were scattered throughout the clusters suggesting either poor discrimination by the primers or marked genetic differences. The Simpson Index of diversity were almost the same at 0.690 and 0.700 for Nyanga and Tsholotsho respectively. In conclusion, our results show the potential of microsatellites in studying diversity in pearl millet and show marked duplication of the germplasm both in genetic relationships and local names. However, the study provides a strong background for further analysis of the germplasm.
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