Study of genetic diversity in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) genotypes using microsatellite markers

Oilseed crops such as canola have important role to produce oil and energy needed for human. Information about genetic variability based on different markers, particularly molecular markers has played a key role in designing breeding programs. To study the genetic diversity in 24 genotypes of rapeseed, the 10 microsatellite primers were used according to previous studies. The results showed that the average polymorphic information content for assessing primers was 0.55 and the mean observed and expected heterozygosity for all primers, were 0.35 and 0.41 respectively. NA12-E09 locus had the highest rate (1.0893) of Shannon diversity index, which represents diversity among the population, whereas loci RA2-A11 and OL10-G06 had the lowest Shannon index. Cluster analysis based on molecular data using Jaccard's similarity coefficient and UPGMA method, grouped rapeseed varieties into the third major group. Accordingly, CR3133 variety of Canada origin which is located in a separate group showed lower similarity compared with other varieties. In general, rapeseed genotypes showed intra-species diversity based on microsatellite markers could be used in plant breeding programs.