Molecular Identification and Population Structure of Emmer and Einkorn Wheat Lines With Different Ploidy Levels Using Ssr Markers

Abstract

Ancient species (Triticum monococcum and Triticum dicoccum) of wheat represent a valuable genetic resource for breeding and genetic research. In this study, 81 selected genotypes and 7 commercial cultivars were evaluated with 11 simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers. A total of 93 SSR alleles were detected, giving an average of 8.45 alleles per locus. Consequently, a total of 88 genotypes were assessed for their mean expected heterozygosity (He = 0.486), observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.121), polymorphism information content (PIC = 0.68), and Shannon's information index (I = 0.918). The clustering analysis separated the genotypes into five subclusters based on the genetic similarity coefficient. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) was performed to evaluate five different clusters. The result of AMOVA was defined as genetic deviation from expectation for clusters (Fis = 0.877, Fit = 0.903, and Fst = 0.211). In Nei's pairwise genetic identity, the highest and lowest were observed between P2-P5 populations (0.39) and P1-P2 populations (0.838). The wide variety of wheat lines can be used as a genetic resource in designing a wheat breeding program to develop new cultivars adapted to different geographic and climatic conditions and can also contribute to breeding programs around the world.