Assessment of genetic diversity of Iranian and non-Iranian barely genotypes (Hordeum vulgare L.) using microsatellite markers

Genetic diversity is the best way to use available genetic potential for breeding programs in barley. In this study, genetic diversity of 63 Iranian and non-Iranian genotypes have been described. 29 out of 30 pairs microsatellite markers were polymorphic. A total of 225 alleles for different gene loci with an average of 2.7 per locus were identified. The highest number of alleles for Bmag0323, Hvm54 and EBmac679 (with 13 alleles) and the lowest number for the HVM0003 (with two alleles), respectively. The PIC amount and Shannon index value were variable ranging from 0.89 (for the EBmac679) to 0.21 (for the GBM1176) and from I=2.46 (for the Bmag0323) to I=0.48 (for the GBM1176), respectively. Genotype clustering was done using Neighbor-net and Cluster analysis was performed using Bayesian methods. The best number of sub-populations was identified 4 that were seen in most sub-populations genotypes originating from Iran. The results of clustering of Neighbor-net method showed good agreement with the model-based approach. The results showed that microsatellite markers well represented different genotypes of barley diversity. Also according to the results, native genotypes showed more diversity.