ASSESSMENT OF THE GENETIC DIVERSITY IN SUGAR BEET (BETA VULGARIS L.) USING SSR MARKERS

The genetic diversity and homogeneity of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) source lines underwent analysis to select the promising parental pairs for hybridization. The 420 individual plants from 21 sugar beet lines served as research materials. A result of the study of polymorphism with nine SSR markers obtained 22 alleles, with an average of 2.4 alleles per marker. The Bvv155 marker emerged as the most useful for detecting the genetic diversity of sugar beet lines and predicting heterosis. Identifying the FDSB1002, FDSB1007, and FDSB957 markers as polymorphic determined the intra-linear heterogeneity of the source material. The analysis of molecular variance showed that in the studied sugar beet samples, the highest variation was prominent among the populations (48%), while heterogeneity within the population was 21%. The genetic distances between pollinator lines and lines with cytoplasmic male sterility ranged by 1.4–3.5 (Euclidean distances) and 0.12–1.0 (Nei’s distances). Distinguishing seven parent pairs of sugar beet attained endorsement for crosses having Nei’s genetic distance of D = 0.81 will create highly productive hybrids. The presented results may play a vital role in developing heterotic hybrids in sugar beet through a practical breeding program.