Evaluation of Genetic Diversity among Soybean (Glycine max) Genotypes, Using ISJ and RAPD Molecular Markers

Abstract

Abstract <br />Soybean (<em>Glycine max</em>) is an important crop plant which contains a high amount of oil and protein. To evaluate the genetic diversity of 45 soybean genotypes growing in Iran, two types of molecular markers (RAPD and ISJ) were used. Two sets of different primers were used to compare potential differentiation power of IT (Intron targeting) and ET (Exon targeting) primers. Data obtained from each molecular marker was analyzed separately and in combination. Ten RAPD primers amplified 103 scoreable bands from which 60% were polymorphic, whereas 15 ISJ primes resulted to 129 sharp bands from which 87% were polymorphic. Cluster analysis was carried out based on simple matching coefficient of similarity and UPGMA method. The cophenetic coefficient for RAPD and ISJ markers were 0.95 and 0.81, respectively. Cluster analysis revealed that ISJ molecular markers were better in genetic diversity studies than RAPD markers in soybean genotypes. Furthermore, significant variation was not found between two groups of IT and ET primers (P≤ 0.01). Results of this study suggested that ISJ molecular markers especially ET primes are reliable tools to investigate genetic diversity among soybean genotypes. <br />