RAPD usage for molecular characterization of sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor</i> L. Moench) accesses recommended for Pernambuco state semi-arid

Abstract

This work was performed with the aim to verify the genetic diversity among accessions of Sorghum bicolor (L. Moench) from Instituto Agronômico de  Pernambuco – IPA and evaluate their use in future plant selection programs. Thirty two accessions cultivated in the State of Pernambuco were analyzed. Genetic diversity was obtained by RAPD molecular markers. With 20 primers used, a total of 737 bands were amplified with 34 being polymorphic and 10 monomorphic generating 77% of polymorphic genotypes. A dendrogram based on UPGMA analysis grouped the 32 genotypes in nine distinct groups  with a similarity coefficient ranging from 0.72 to 0.98 indicative of high level of genetic variation among the genotypes studied and the accession CSF-27 appeared as an external group. RAPD markers were efficient on grouping of the studied accessions. The separation of accessions of sorghum suitability for grain and fodder, as well as the genotypes were characterized according to tolerance to drought and adverse factors such as soil salinity and acidity. Primers H09 and N15 were decisive for obtaining genomic fingerprints of the similar accessions because they generated a larger number of polymorphic bands. Dendrogram obtained from this study provided significant information for designing crossing strategies of parental generations in breeding programs of Sorghum bicolor (L. Moench).