Genetic diversity analysis among late leaf spot and rust resistant and susceptible germplasm in groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.)

Groundnut is an important oilseed crops with high nutritional values. Yield of groundnut is constrained owing to diverse biotic and abiotic factors. Amongst biotic stresses two foremost foliar fungal diseases viz., late leaf spot and rust are universal and sparingly significant. Both conventional and modern breeding methods may be applied for improvement of groundnut. The current investigation was carried out to recognize genetic variability present among different groundnut germplasm with the use of morphological characters and SSR markers with the screening of resistant to leaf spot and rust resistant genotypes. In morphological examination, the analysis of variance divulged highly substantial differences among 48 germplasm lines. Initial screening of Germplasm was tried with the use of 125 SSR markers. But, based on banding pattern, 21 markers were found to be the best and selected for amplification of whole set of genotypes. Out of 21 markers, 16 were found to be highly polymorphic. Highest PIC value (0.8196) was detected for marker S021 representing 81% diversity. SSR Markers viz., PM42, PM204, PM377, S052, S076, S078 and S078 have PIC value more than 0.5, confirms their superiority in detection of polymorphism among studied germplasm lines. UPGMA analysis assemblage all the germplasm lines into three major clusters. Most of the foliar disease resistant genotypes were grouped together with higher genetic resemblance. Polymorphic markers identified in the study may be utilized further for molecular diversity analysis and the identified resistant genotypes may be employed further for the improvement of the crop.