Cross-Transferability of SSR Markers from Rice to Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth ex Roem. & Schult) for Genetic Diversity and DNA Fingerprinting
摘要
Little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth ex Roem. &Schult) is a nutrient-rich but under-researched crop with limited genomic resources. This study explored the cross-transferability of rice SSR markers to assess genetic diversity and develop DNA fingerprints for 30 little millet genotypes. A 65.11% transferability rate was observed, with 28.57% polymorphism across eight SSR markers, generating 25 polymorphic loci with an average of 3.12 alleles per locus. Molecular genetic diversity analysis classified the genotypes into three clusters, while Mahalanobis D2 analysis based on 12 agronomic traits grouped them into seven distinct clusters.Pedigree-based clustering and marker-based genetic variation provided insights into genotype relationships, leading to the identification of promising cross combinations for breeding, including RLM 369 × VS 13, GPUL 12 × VS 13, and IIMR LM 4001 × RLM 369. Additionally, QR codes were developed for 16 genotypes, integrating molecular and morphological data to enhance germplasm tracking and breeding efficiency. These findings demonstrate the utility of rice SSR markers for cross-genera studies and underscore their potential in minor millet improvement programs.