Genetic diversity of Saccharum complex accessions of Embrapa genebank

Abstract

Genebanks represent sources of genetic variability that can be used in breeding programs. The objective was to molecularly characterize 31 accessions of the Saccharum Complex to assist in the management of Sugarcane Embrapa genebank and to direct strategies in the genetic improvement program. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of 31 accessions of the Saccharum Complex, which comprises Saccharum officinarum, Saccharum robustum, Saccharum spontaneaum, Miscanthus spp. and Erianthus arundinaceus. Based on ISSR molecular markers, the Jaccard similarity coefficient ranged from 0.34 to 0.83. The dendrogram based on the genetic dissimilarity matrix revealed that the accessions were categorized into nine groups. Group IX was composed of accessions of the species Erianthus arundinaceus and greater similarity to each other, suggesting the existence of duplicates. The smallest dissimilarities were between groups I and II, in which the largest number of species of Saccharum officinarum are present and as commercial cultivars SP 791011 and RB92579. The information provided will be used in the management of the genebank, in the development of a database to manage the characteristics of wild accessions of the Saccharum Complex, as well as in the indication of potential future parents for genetic introgression in breeding programs.