Molecular Characterization of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes From Yangon Region in Myanmar using SSR Markers

Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most important stable crops, consumed daily more than half of the world population. In Asia, Myanmar is center of rice genetic diversity as there are numerous rice varieties under diverse agro-ecological zones. In order to estimate genetic diversity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm in Yangon region of Myanmar, 102 genotypes from different parts of region were analyzed by 12 microsatellite (SSR) markers. In SSR characterization, the mean value of Polymorphic information content (PIC) was found 0.69 for all accessions. The maximum and minimum Polymorphic information content (PIC) values were found to be 0.79 and 0.21 for the primers RM229 and RM201 respectively.The total number of alleles was 91 and the average number of alleles per locus was 7.58. Average gene diversity was 0.72 indicating high genetic diversity among the genotypes. Phylogenetic cluster analysis of SSR data based on UPGMA and Nei's genetic distance divided into eight groups. These results reflect the high genetic differentiation existing in rice germplasm. The results from molecular data will improve in the part of rice varieties improvement programme. This study will support the information for breeders in rice breeding programme