Genetic Diversity Study of Quarin Clover (T. quartinianum) Accessions of Ethiopia Using ISSR Markers

Abstract

Genetic diversity of Trifolium quartinianum accessions from Ethiopia were studied using Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. A total of 24 accessions, divided into three populations were used for the present study. DNA was extracted from a bulk of samples using a modified CTAB method. A total of 84 bands were amplified by the four di-nucleotid ISSR primers in the overall experimental materials. Genetic diversity was high at the species level (PPL = 100%, h = 0.29, I = 0.44). Comparison of population-based genetic diversity showed that Gojam population was the most diverse. Analysis of molecular variance (MOVA) revealed high level of within-population variation with 83.13%. This could be caused by high pollen and seed flow among-populations. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) and Principal Coordinate (PCo) analysis showed that only accessions of T. quartinianum from Gondar formed separate cluster. The study clearly indicates the presence of variable genotypes with their unique identity that deserve conservation attention.

Keywords: Genetic diversity; Ethiopia; ISSR markers; T. quartinianum