Genetic divergence in soybeans based on phenotypic traits and microsatellite markers

Background The success of a breeding program depends on the existence of genetic variability [1]. Therefore, breeders have recommended to the formation of the population-based study, the interbreeding between superior cultivars and divergent, resulting in hybrid combinations of higher heterotic effect, so that in segregating generations it has a greater chance of obtaining transgressive genotypes [2]. Microsatellite markers or Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) have been widely used to estimate genetic diversity in soybean due to their high degree of polymorphism, codominant inheritance, PCR-based detection, allelic diversity and the knowledge of the location of the marker in the genome the species [3]. In this report we present results of agronomic traits and microsatellite markers to evaluate the genetic diversity of 35 soybean genotypes to determine their potential as parents for breeding programs.