Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Association Analysis for Phonological Traits Related to Drought Escape in Barley Lines using Microsatellite Markers

Assessment of genetic diversity is important step for exploitation from plant material in breeding programs. In this study, genetic diversity of 55 barley lines evaluated using SSR markers and also microsatellite markers were used to identify informative markers associated with phonological and yield traits related to drought escape including days to heading, grain filling period, days to physiological maturity, thousand kernel weight and grain yield. These traits were evaluated in rainfed conditions. In order to, DNA was extracted from young barley leaves and the PCR products by using 35 pair SSR primers were loaded on 4.5% denatured polyacrylamide gel that 25 pair primers produced clear and polymorphic banding pattern. In general, 186 polymorphic bands detected. The number of observed polymorphic bands varied from 2 to 14, with an average of 7.44 bands per pair primers. Polymorphic information content (PIC) for primers ranged from 0.18 to 0.45, with an average of 0.32. Studied barley lines divided to 3 groups by cluster analysis. Lines were relatively favorable separated according to geographical origin which presents the efficiency of microsatellite markers for the detection of genetic differences and similarity. Also, 24 Informative markers identified in association analysis. Detection of informative markers can be used in mapping of quantitative trait loci for phonological and yield traits related to drought escape and can facilitate the identification of drought-escaping barley genotypes and leads to saving time, expense and labor.