Identification and Distinction of Barley Varieties using SSR Markers

A precise and accurate identification of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties for feed, malting and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses are dependent on their genetic structure. In this study, identification and differentiation of 34 barley varieties were studied using 14 SSR markers. The results showed that a total of 77 SSR polymorphic bands were observed over all genotypes. Polymorphic alleles ranged from 3 to 9 among the markers. The markers related to 1H linkage group, represented the highest (16 alleles) and markers linked to the 7H linkage group the lowest (6 alleles) number of polymorphic alleles. The highest and lowest PIC scores estimated 0.84 to 0.39 for Bmac0316 and Bmag0136 markers, respectively. A relatively high degree of genetic diversity was appeared among the examined varieties. Primer Bmac0316 displayed the highest (0.88) and EBmac097 the lowest (0.49) distinction power (D). The highest value of average of gene diversity (alleles) was observed in Rudasht and CB79-10 varieties indicating maximum heterozygosity. Cluster analysis of 34 genotypes on the basis of data generated by 14 SSRs could differentiate all genotypes in three distinct groups. A combination of four effective SSR loci could also provide the same pattern of genotypic variability as detected by all 14 markers. Microsatellite markers could be used as complementary tools to morphological and physiological characteristics for the identification and clarification of barley varieties.