The genus Aegilops L. native species, especially Aegilops tauschii, are important sources of numerous beneficial traits that are applicable as donors in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) improvement. In this regard, the genetic diversity study of 23 local populations of Ae. Tauschii, collected from the southeastern region (Samarkand, Urgut, and Kitab districts) of Uzbekistan, became the presented research’s aim, using nine SSR markers and morphometric traits. The SSR analysis amplified 32 alleles, with an average of 3.55 alleles per locus. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.447, ranging from 0.163 to 0.599, and the expected heterozygosity (He) varied, from 0.007 to 1.557, with an average of 0.850. Genetic distance (GD) indices based on five of nine SSR markers ranged from 0 to 0.789, with a mean of 0.669. The greatest genetic similarity was notable between populations from the Samarkand and Urgut districts (0.789), while the least was evident between the populations of the Samarkand and Kitab districts (0.560). Based on molecular analysis of nine SSR markers, the most informative ones (PIC > 0.5) showed distinction, beneficial to develop genetic passports and determine the genetic homogeneity of local species in Ae. tauschii.
local ecotypes Ae. tauschii, PCR analysis, genetic diversity, DNA microsatellite loci, clustering, heterozygosity, genetic similarity
A collection of 23 local accessions of Ae. tauschii showed characteristics of a higher level of genetic diversity. Based on molecular analysis, the SSR markers (WSP130, WSP192, and WSP513) occurred highly informative to benefit in developing genetic passports to determine the homogeneity of local species in genus Aegilops L.