Transferability of Genomic SSR Markers in Lens Species for Genus Characterization and Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) Breeding

Abstract

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are pivotal for germplasm characterization and crop improvement. However, lentil breeding faces challenges due to the limited availability of markers. This study assessed the transferability of genomic SSR markers developed in cultivated lentils to wild Lens species. A total of 100 SSR loci were analyzed in 21 accessions representing all the Lens genus using PowerMarker software v3.25, which identified 41 polymorphic loci. These loci generated 219 alleles, with an average of 5.34 per locus and a polymorphic information content (PIC) value of 0.61. Notably, 52.2% of the polymorphic loci were shared among all Lens species. Transferability rates varied across species: 41% for Lens nigricans, 40% for Lens culinaris subsp. tomentosus, 39% for Lens culinaris subsp. orientalis, 34% for Lens culinaris subsp. odemensis, 34% for Lens ervoides, and 31% for Lens lamottei. The identified polymorphic markers provide a valuable resource for exploring the genetic diversity of wild lentil relatives and the breeding of beneficial agronomic traits into new lentil cultivars.

Keywords

• SSR
• Lentil
• Transferability
• Genetic diversity
• Crop improvement

References

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