SSR markers-based molecular characterization and genetic diversity in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) genotypes

Abstract Pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) is the most important Lythraceae family species of the Myrtales order. It is one of the quite old fruit species and the pomegranate history goes back about five thousand years, is consumed by people for food and medicine. In the current study, 40 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers were screed to determine the genetic relationships of 127 pomegranate genotypes sampled from distinct locations with genetic resources in Turkiye. In total, 34 SSRs generated a total of 177 alleles, the average number of effective alleles (Ne = 2.50) and the average expected heterozygosity value (He = 0.53) were estimated., The observed heterozygosity was measured for each marker with an average of 0.36. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) was estimated as 0.48. Phylogenetic tree was constructed using a total of 34 polymorphic markers based on unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) analysis of pomegranate genotypes, and genotypes were clustered into two major groups with subgroups. STRUCTURE analysis was also carried out to calculate the possible population number according to Delta K value that has picked the point corresponding to population number. Delta K was picked in K = 2, population was divided to two main clusters. The results of UPGMA and STRUCTURE analyses were examined, and both analyses were found to corroborate each other. The analysis of molecular variance exhibited 38 and 36% of the total variance between and within the populations. This is the first comprehensive molecular report enjoyed in Turkiye germplasm for pomegranate. These results can be utilized to establish novel breeding orchards or consist of the populations and to reveal the marker-trait association. Hence, it brings knowledge quality in pomegranate breeding programs.