Evaluation of genetic diversity in bread wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) using morpho-physiological traits and SSR markers

Genetic diversity is a requirement for success in the breeding programs. In order to evaluate genetic diversity of 40 bread wheat genotypes through morpho-physiological traits and SSR markers, wheat genotypes were cultivated in Shahid Bahonar university research field in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications during 2011-2012. Wheat genotypes showed a considerable genetic diversity for all traits. Fertile tillers had the highest correlation with grain yield. In SSR experiment, 9 primers showed remarkable polymorphism. Considering all genotypes, 31 polymorphic bands with the mean of 3.4 per each primer were detected. The average expected heterozygosis was 0.36 for all loci. Wmc 420 had the highest diversity in evaluated population. Cluster analysis was performed based on Ward’s method and cultivars were classified based on the similarity. The cluster Information can be used in the breeding programs for yield improvement in drought prone environments.