Diversity analysis of some rice land races of bengal using ssr marker linked with phosphate uptake ability

A study was conducted to explore genetic variation in rice for tolerance of phosphate deficiency in upland rice. Twenty eight diverse rice genotypes comprised of 15 land races, 2 advance breeding lines, 4 released semi dwarf varieties and 7 released varieties for upland situation were used to assess genetic diversity employing six SSR markers linked with QTL of phosphate uptake ability. Polymorphic pattern was generated by 6 SSR primers with a high level of polymorphism ranging from 60.71 to 100%. The PIC values varied from 0.2448979 (RM-1163) to 0.4770408 (RM-8200). Marker RM-1337 generated two rare alleles in genotypes viz. Kalonunia and Satika. RM-215 linked with a major QTL controlling root length and biological yield at low moisture situation generated rare allele in Shungakalma, Turkibalam and Kalonunia. The dendogram revealed 5 clusters at a cutoff similarity coefficient level of 0.65. At the similarity coefficient level of 0.25 and 0.56, Kalonunia and Shunga Kalma, respectively, were quite distinct where as, rest of the genotypes were grouped into 4 major clusters. Asnala, Jhulur, Lahidhan and Satika are already established as drought tolerant cultivars.