Genetic variability characterisation of Tanzania sorghum landraces based on simple sequence repeats (ssrs) molecular and morphological markers

Abstract

Morphological and molecular markers were employed to study the genetic variability among 40 sorghum landraces collected from Tanzania and two from Zambia. A total of 14 morphological markers and seven simple sequence repeats (SSRs) primers were used to (i) determine the genetic relationships among landraces, and (ii) assess
important agronomic traits. Five principal components accounted for 73.60% of the total variability. There were positive significant correlation between yield and inflorescence width (r = 0.343*), five panicles averages and plot yields (r = 0. 531*), leaf senescence and inflorescence length (r = 0.355*). Negative significant correlation
between tiller numbers and inflorescence length (r = -0.343*) was recorded. Cluster analysis based on morphological traits revealed three major distinct groups with one landrace forming independent cluster. Based on molecular markers, eleven clusters were observed. Sorghum controls, N13, Ochuti and Adiwo each formed independent clusters. Markers Xgap84 and Xtxp320 had high alleles than other markers. These had seven and eight alleles respectively. Molecular markers clearly separated landraces within and between groups than morphological markers. There were no genotype specific makers with the exceptions of Ochuti and N13 controls.