Genomics-based assembly of a sorghum bicolor (L.) moench core collection in the Uganda national genebank as a genetic resource for sustainable sorghum breeding

Abstract The Uganda National GeneBank is a key reservoir of genetic diversity for sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), with over 3333 accessions which are predominantly landraces (96.48%), but also includes the weedy (0.63%), breeding lines (2.5%) and released varieties (0.39%). This resource from primary center domestication important broadening elite cultivars through breeding. However, due to large size collection, we aimed select core set that captures maximum phenotypic diversity, in order facilitate detailed evaluation at reduced cost. To achieve this, genotyped entire collection 2020 using Diversity Array Technology sequencing (DArTseq). A total 27,560 SNPs were used 310 GenoCore software. comparison whole based on polymorphism information content, observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity minor allele frequency showed no significant difference between two sets, indicating adequately allelic richness present collection. all five major races 10 intermediate hybrids. most strongly represented race guinea (24.5%), while caudatum-bicolor least frequent (0.69%). Landraces account 92.2% whereas breeder’s lines, contribute 2.2%, 3.5% 1.9%, respectively.