Insight into the genetic variability analysis and relationships among some Aegilops and Triticum species, as genome progenitors of bread wheat, using SCoT markers

Abstract

We assessed the molecular genetic diversity and relationships among some Aegilops and Triticum species using 15 start codon-targeted (SCoT) polymorphism markers. A total of 166 bands amplified, of which 164 (98.79%) were polymorphic. Analysis of molecular variance and inter-population differentiation (Gst) indicated high genetic variation within the studied populations. Our analyses revealed high genetic diversity in T. boeoticum, Ae. cylindrica, T. durum and Ae. umbellulata, low diversity in Ae. crassa, Ae. caudata and Ae. speltoides, and a close relationship among Ae. tauschii, T. aestivum, T. durum, T. urartu, and T. boeoticum. Cluster analysis indicated 180 individuals divided into 8 genome homogeneous clades and 11 sub-groups. T. aestivum and T. durum accessions were grouped together, and accessions with the C and U genomes were grouped into the same clade. Our results support the hypothesis that T. urartu and Ae. tauschii are two diploid ancestors of T. aestivum, and also that Ae. caudata and Ae. umbellulata are putative donors of C and U genomes for other Aegilops species that possess these genomes. Our results also revealed that the SCoT technique is informative and can be used to assess genetic relationships among wheat germplasm.

Keywords:

• Genetic diversity
• Aegilops
• Triticum
• SCoT markers
• multivariate analysis