Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of a Korean Rice Germplasm Based on DNA Profiles

Abstract

Information on the patterns of genetic diversity and population structure is essential for the rational use and efficient management of germplasms; accurate information aids in monitoring germplasms, and can also be used to predict potential genetic gains. In this study, we assessed genetic diversity, focusing on Korean rice accessions for theand their sustainable conserved diversity. Using DNA profiling with 12 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, we detected a total of 333 alleles among 2,016 accessions. The number of alleles ranged from 21 to 53, with an average of 27.8. Average polymorphism information content was 0.797, with the lowest being 0.667 and the highest 0.940. CA cluster analysis and the model-based population structure revealed two main groups that could be subdivided into five subgroups. Analysis of the molecular variance study based on the SSR profile data showed 5% variance among the profiles, whereas we recorded 93% variance among individuals and 2% variance within individuals. Specifically, the utilized diversity for of the breeding program is restricted in that cultivars were located in limited clades. These results revealed that preserving the diversity of Korean landraces could be useful sources for breeding new rice cultivars, and cwould be the basis for the sustainable conservation and utilization of a Korean rice germplasm.