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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 12 No. 4 (2025)

Molecular profiling and genetic diversity in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L) hybrid cultivars by RAPD markers

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.9819
Submitted
4 June 2025
Published
11-09-2025 — Updated on 06-10-2025
Versions

Abstract

Genetic diversity is fundamental to crop improvement, especially in genetically complex crops like sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity and relationships among 22 elite sugarcane hybrid cultivars using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, in order to identify genetically diverse parental lines for effective breeding strategies. Fifteen RAPD primers produced a total of 129 bands, out of which 108 (83.32%) were polymorphic, indicating a high level of variability. The band sizes ranged from 325 to 2858 base pairs, and the number of bands per primer varied from four to twelve. Genetic similarity coefficients among cultivars ranged from 0.27 to 0.98, suggesting a broad genetic spectrum. Cluster analysis using the UPGMA method revealed that some cultivars with similar parentages grouped together, while others with different parentages were clustered in the same group, demonstrating that pedigree alone may not reflect true genetic diversity. Co 6907 was identified as a genetically distinct cultivar. The study emphasizes the value of molecular profiling for identifying genetically diverse parents, broadening the genetic base, and optimizing sugarcane breeding programs for enhanced productivity.

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