Genetic Variation Analysis of Selected Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) Accessions Through SCoT Markers

Molecular techniques such as ISSR, RAPD, SCoT, and SSR are widely used to identify genetic polymorphism, reveal genetic structures, and analyze inter-varietal relationships in grape cultivars. In this context, the aim of our study was to reveal the genetic diversity of some local grape (Vitis vinifera) genotypes cultivated or naturally found in the Divriği district of Sivas province, contribute to the sustainable conservation of natural genetic resources, and determine the agricultural production potential of these genotypes. Additionally, the potential use of Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers in evaluating the diversity among different grape genotypes was investigated. Plant materials were collected from vineyards, and DNA was isolated from fresh leaves using the CTAB method. A total of 36 SCoT markers were screened in the samples, and 12 markers with the highest polymorphism rate were selected for analysis. In this study, a total of 119 bands were obtained from the 12 SCoT primers used to determine the genetic relationships among the grape genotypes. Among these, 83 bands were polymorphic, resulting in a polymorphism rate of 69.74%. The molecular data obtained allowed for the construction of a dendrogram (phylogenetic tree) grouping the analyzed grape genotypes according to their similarity indices. According to the UPGMA dendrogram and the correlation matrix generated from the SCoT molecular data, the lowest genetic similarity (0.382) was observed between genotypes G6 and G38, while the highest similarity (0.786) was found between genotypes G37 and G39. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that SCoT markers can be effectively used to assess genetic variation and establish similarity indices among grape genotypes. This molecular approach provides a robust basis for advanced genetic research and future breeding programs.