Population structuring of selected mungbean landraces of the Odisha State of India via DNA marker-based genetic diversity analysis

Ever-increasing demands of mungbean consumption, wide eco-geographical variations and inadequate achievements through conventional breeding necessitate comprehensive assessment of genetic variability coupled with population patterning. In the present work 30 mungbean landraces of the Odisha State of India representing four different geographical regions (populations) along with some Indian genotypes were used for elucidation of genetic diversity and population structure analysis using 52 SCoT (gene-targeted) and 45 RAPD (arbitrary) markers. SCoT markers proved to be more effective than RAPD in ascertaining genetic diversity at genotype level (% polymorphism, Rp, PIC, EMR, MI, GI and I) and population level (Na, Ne, H, I, Ht and Hs). Unique bands (23 RAPD and 47 SCoT) were generated which enabled identification of 16 and 25 genotypes respectively. Genetic diversity parameters of East Odisha revealed high genetic variability compared to other populations. AMOVA revealed > 95% variation within the populations which is further supported by high gene flow and low level of genetic differentiation. UPGMA dendrogram and population structure grouped genotypes into 8 major clusters irrespective of their geographical affiliations. However, genotypes belonging to certain clusters exhibited significant geographical and morphological preferences using the cumulative strategy. The study illustrated the importance of combined marker analysis, which uses complementary information from two distinct and analogous markers and in the process, offers accurate and reliable results. Further, the applicability of in silico analysis in performing a high resolution patterning of genetic divergence and population structure was demonstrated.