Evaluation of Traits and Genetic Diversity of Sugar Beet O-Type Lines for Rhizomania Tolerance using SSR Molecular Marker

Extended Abstract Introduction and Objective: Sugar beet is one of the most important agricultural products in the world and most of the sugar consumed in our country is prepared from this plant. Plant breeding programs are based on creating variety and selection of quantitative and qualitative traits. Examining genetic diversity is the first step in breeding programs. Material and Methods: In this study, in order to investigate genetic diversity, 30 genotypes of (O-Type lines) with different phenotypic traits were used. This experiment was performed as a randomized complete block design on a farm level. 30 genotypes were examined for morphological traits (growth score, leaf color, root uniformity, root rhizomania, sugar percentage, yield (weight), sugar yield). Results: The results of statistical analysis of variance of the studied traits showed that genotypes have meaningful differences and variation in terms of all measured traits. Also, Genotypes were examined by 10 pairs of SSR primers, which showed 3 polymorphic primers out of 10 SSR primers. These three primers were examined in terms of band pattern and bands were scored based on the presence or absence (zero and one) and the similarity matrix was used to better understand the similarities and differences. The results showed that among the 3 primers studied, SB06 primer showed 100% polymorphism, which can be concluded that this marker shows diversity better. In addition to evaluating traits and genetic diversity using SSR molecular markers, in order to determine the relationship between morphological traits and molecular data and identify markers that are associated with these traits, stepwise regression was performed. The results of stepwise regression analysis showed that there is a significant relationship between traits and some gene loci of the studied primers. The gene locus of SB06-1 primer was associated with the highest number of traits. They showed the highest correlation between SB06-1, SB06-3 primer gene loci and root uniformity trait (r = 0.40**) at 1% level. Conclusion: With the results of correlation analysis, it can be concluded that the gene locus of SB06-1 primer for SSR primer showed the highest correlation with traits. Therefore, these markers can be used to study genetic diversity and relationship analysis in the study of sugar beet breeding programs and use them in marker selection. The results of this study showed that SSR markers can differentiate sugar beet genotypes and show genetic diversity well. Therefore, these markers can be used in correction programs. The results of this study showed that SSR markers can differentiate sugar beet genotypes and show genetic diversity well, so these markers can be used in breeding programs.