Evaluation of genetic variation and identification of QTLs controlling agro-morphological traits in F2:3population of oriental tobacco

In order to evaluate the genetic diversity and identify quantitative trait loci(QTL) controlling agro-morphological triats such as leaf length, leaf width, leaf number, internode distance, dried leaf yield per plot, plant height and stem girth, the genetic population including 225 F 2:3 families from the cross between two oriental-type tobacco genotypes ‘SPT 406 (paternal) × Basma seres 31 (maternal) were evaluated with sample lattice design under field conditions. Statistical analysis revealed a meaningful difference among F 2:3 families for studied traits except for internode distance. Genetic diversity was evaluated by using multivariate statistical methods such as cluster analysis and principal components analysis. By using principal components analysis and cluster analysis via Ward method, the studied F 2:3 families were classified into four different groups. QTLs were mapped using a linkage map comprising 23 SSR and 19 ISSR amrkers. 18 QTLs were detected for the studied traits in F 2:3 generation and maximum number of QTLs was identified for the leaf number trait.