Pearl millet landraces collected from two districts
of Zimbabwe, Nyanga North and Tsholotsho were analysed to assess genetic
relationships based on ten microsatellite primers and indigenous farmer
given names. Analysis was done by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis stained
with ethidium bromide. Simple matching coefficients were compared and
the genetic relationships between genotypes were clarified on dendrograms
by unweighted pair-group averages (UPGMA). Two polymorphic primers (PSMP2008
and PSMP2013) were able to detect some level of polymorphism at DNA level
clustering the landraces into four major clusters joined at 64% similarity
level. Sixteen accessions from Nyanga were identical to those from Tsholotsho.
Fourteen accessions from Nyanga and 18 from Tsholotsho were identical
to at least one genotype from the same district. Despite the same local
names, genotypes were scattered throughout the clusters suggesting either
poor discrimination by the primers or marked genetic differences. The
Simpson Index of diversity were almost the same at 0.690 and 0.700 for
Nyanga and Tsholotsho respectively. In conclusion, our results show the
potential of microsatellites in studying diversity in pearl millet and
show marked duplication of the germplasm both in genetic relationships
and local names. However, the study provides a strong background for further
analysis of the germplasm.
E. Chakauya and P. Tongoona, 2008. Analysis of Genetic Relationships of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Landraces from Zimbabwe, Using Microsatellites. International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics, 2: 35-41.