SSR marker-based genetic diversity assessment of turmeric (Curcuma spp.) germplasm lines for molecular characterization

Abstract

Turmeric (Curcuma spp.), a medicinal and economically important crop, exhibits significant genetic diversity, essential for breeding and conservation efforts. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of 30 turmeric germplasms using 20 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Genomic DNA was isolated, and PCR amplification was performed with SSR primers. Out of 20 SSR markers, 18 exhibited polymorphism and reproducible banding patterns. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.07 to 0.98, with an average of 0.61, indicating a high degree of polymorphism. Resolving power analysis identified the most informative markers for genetic differentiation. Jaccard’s similarity coefficient varied from 0.13 to 0.95, highlighting significant genetic variation among the germplasms. Cluster analysis using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) grouped the germplasms into two major clusters, reflecting their genetic relatedness. These findings confirmed the effectiveness of SSR markers in assessing genetic diversity, providing valuable insights for turmeric breeding, conservation, and genetic resource management.