Combined Analysis of Molecular and Phenotypic Data

15 The aim of the study was to investigate the extent of the genetic diversity among 16 genebank accessions of Ethiopian tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) using 17 microsatellite markers, qualitative and quantitative data. Thirty-five accessions of 18 Ethiopian tetraploid wheat (T. turgidum L.) landraces were grown in the greenhouse 19 at IFA Tulln, Austria during spring 2009 for DNA extraction. The same accessions 20 were already grown in spring 2008 at BOKU Vienna, Austraia for their phenotypical 21 characterisation. DNA was extracted from each approximately one month old plant 22 according to Promega (1998/99) protocol. A total of 10 µl reaction mixture per sample 23 was used for DNA amplification by PCR. The amplified mixture was loaded to PAGE 24 (12%) containing TE buffer (1) in CBS electrophoresis chambers and run in an 25 electric field for 2 hrs. The fragments were visualized by scanning with Typhoon Trio 26 scanner. Six and ten quantitative and qualitative morphological traits data 27 respectively were used for combined analysis. Genetic variation was significant within 28 and between wheat species and within and between altitudes of collection site. 29 Genetic distances ranged from 0.21 to 0.73 for all accessions while it ranged from 30 0.44 within Triticum polonicum to 0.56 between T. polonicum and T. turgidum. 31 Genetic distance between regions of collection ranged from 0.51 to 0.54 while for 32 altitudes it ranged from 0.47 (≤2200 m) to 0.56 (≤2500 m). Cluster analysis showed 33 that T. polonicum accessions were grouped together whereas T. durum and 34 T. turgidum formed mixed clusters indicating T. polonicum as genetically more 35 distinct from the other two species. We suggest combined analysis of molecular and 36 morphological data for a better classification of accessions.