Evaluation of genetic diversity in Iranian chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) accessions using ISSR markers

Genetic characterization and classification of germplasm yield important information that are quite helpful for crop breeding as well as conservation of genetic resources. The genetic relationship between the accessions and varieties of chickpea was assessed using 21 ISSR primers. Out of 361 bands, 257 showed polymorphism. Nnumber of polymorphic bands ranged from 6 to 22 per primer and the most informative loci was UBC864. Polymorphic information content (PIC value) ranged from 0.15 to 0.60 and marker index (MI) ranged from 6.43 to 60.31 per primer. A maximum genetic similarity value of 0.97 was observed between accessions 93 and 94 and a minimum similarity value of 0.54 was observed between accessions 10 and 66. Clustering analysis using UPGMA algorithm based on Jacquard's similarity coefficient, classified the chickpea accessions and cultivars into 15 major groups and the subgroups were strongly supported by high bootstrap value. Our results proved that ISSR markers to be as a reliable marker system with regards to detection of a high level of polymorphism and it can be used to guide future breeding studies and management of chickpea germplasm.