Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Some Quinoa (Chenopodium Quinoa) Genotypes using ISSR Markers

Quinoa is an attractive crop in many parts of country based on its tolerance to salinity and drought stresses and its adaptability to poor soils. Area under Quinoa cultivation has been increased in recent years in Iran. Breeding of new Quinoa cultivars is essential to keep this trend. Assessment genetic diversity in the germplasm is the first step of plant breeding. In this study, genetic diversity of within and among of some Quinoa populations were determined by ISSR molecular markers.

Diversity among and within 13 Quinoa populations (by assessment of three plants in each population) was examined by 9 ISSRs primers. A total of 13 genotypes including breeding material Q1, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q12, Q26 and Q2, four Chen wild accessions and Giza1 and Titicaca cultivars.

A total of 90 bands (with 87.69% polymorphism) were detected with using of 9 ISSR primers. The genotypes were divided in two groups (Q group: including those genotypes with prefix Q in their names and None Q group: other genotypes) with a few exceptions by cluster analysis. Peru or Bolivia are the origin of None Q group genotypes (consisting Titicaca, Giza1 and Chen wild accessions). Also Chile is the origin of other genotypes located on Q group except Q1, Q3, Q4 and Q5 that their origin was not specified. According to the results of clustering, origin of Q1, Q3, Q4 and Q5 populations must be Chile. The first two components in the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) account for 26.17% of total variance. The genotypes were divided into two groups by PCoA almost similar to the dendrogram grouping. Molecular analysis of variance (AMOVA) recognized high variation within the populations. AMOVA showed that 73% and 27% variations were within and among populations, respectively. Cultivars Titicaca and Giza exhibited lowest within population variance in comparison of other populations.

ISSR markers showed acceptable polymorphism based on the results. Positive mass selection is recommended according to the high variation within populations. In general, consideration of two origins for quinoa germplasm management, including Andean highlands and coastal areas is suggested.