Genetic diversity of colored rice lines based on botanical characteristics and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers

This study aimed to evaluate a genetic diversity by simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and morphological characteristics among colored rice lines of the developed CNU (Chungnam National University) lines. Development of colored rice cultivars is one of the main breeding goals to meet a consumer's needs in Korea. Total 34 colored rice lines that selected from advanced population improved by crosses and artificial mutation techniques were tested. SSR analysis of colored rice lines showed 20 polymorphic bands using seven SSR primer pairs (RM pairs) and had average three alleles per SSR marker. The average of genetic distance based on SSR marker was 0.56 and ranged from 0.22 to 0.81. The genetic distance was higher in each different pedigree or cross combinations than that in the same pedigree. The mean of polymorphism information content (PIC) were 0.48 and the ranges of PIC reached 0.08 (RM 579) to 0.67 (RM 457), respectively. Genetic classification of 34 colored rice lines by SSR marker analysis were divided into four groups when genetic distance was more than 0.5. The results of cluster analysis of 34 colored rice lines by SSR markers were compared with the results of cluster analysis using morphological characteristics, i.e. color of spikelet and seed coat, and awn existence and its length.