Hybrid identification, morphological evaluation and genetic diversity analysis of Rosa × hybrida by SSR markers.

Abstract

In rose breeding, identification of the parents based on the morphological characteristics becomes sometimes very difficult, and the molecular techniques open new horizons for research and improvement in this crop. The present study based on the F1 cross of the 9 hip-bearing parents which produced 22 hybrids. Morphological evaluation of parent and hybrids included various qualitative traits like leaf color, hairiness, margins etc. Significant variation was revealed among parents and hybrids based on all parameters investigated including differences in overall performance. Genetic diversity among parents and verification of hybrids was evaluated using 10 polymorphic microsatellites markers. Estimates of heterozygosity varied among SSR loci and overall values of observed heterozygosity were 0.887 and total gene diversity was 0.852. Genetic relationship was established among all 32 genotypes by UPGMA revealed that narrow genetic base was found among the genotypes. All of hybrid and parents also showed allele homology with each other, reflecting the involvement of at least one parent genetic background in the cross. Inheritance of parental alleles was used to confirm the heterozygous nature of hybrid progenies.