Evaluation of diversity and population structure of durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) using Dof markers

Assessment of the genetic diversity of crops is vital to plant breeding and heritage conservation programs. Genetic diversity in plant species is important for selecting the right parents for hybridization and producing suitable offspring. The genetic diversity of durum wheat compared to other crops has decreased significantly during the time, initially due to the domestication of the plant and gradually due to the use of uniform and modified germplasm, which has shown this to be a threat.

Genetic diversity and population structure of a set of durum wheat germplasm, including 36 durum wheat landraces and five new cultivars, were evaluated using 15 Dof markers.

The total number of amplified bands was 117, of which 79 were polymorphic with an average polymorphism of 62.32%. The mean polymorphism information content, marker index, and resolving power in the population were 0.34, 1.61 and 1.9, respectively. According to the indices calculated in this study, Dof16, Dof20, Dof31 and Dof35 markers are more suitable for studying the genetic diversity of durum wheat. Population structure analysis divided germplasm into three subgroups (K=3). The molecular analysis of variance based on three subgroups obtained from STRUCTURE for Dof markers showed that the variance within and between subgroups was 85% and 15% of the total variance, respectively. Principal coordinate analysis partly corresponded to the result of population structure and divided the germplasm into three groups.

The results of the present study showed a high level of polymorphism and diversity in Dof markers, indicating the efficiency of these markers in differentiating durum wheat genotypes in this study. Due to the very high conservation of Dof sequences, this specific marker is significant in plants, so this marker can be used to study genetic diversity in different plant species.