Relevance of molecular markers for genetic variability studies in relation to abiotic stress in bread wheat

Molecular screening of 12 common wheat cultivars of India was done with a set of microsatellite and ISSR markers to study their applicability in genetic variability based clustering for abiotic stress traits. The genotypes screened were of salt sensitive and salt tolerant types that were released for indo-gangetic plains. UPGMA based clustering for microsatellite markers placed salt tolerant genotypes like Kharchia, KRL 1–4 and KRL 19 in one group and salt sensitive genotypes like HD 2009 and K 68 in separate group. Similarly, irrigated and rainfed cultivars were placed in separate groups for microsatellite markers. The ISSR marker system was found less efficient in clustering wheat genotypes for their respective abiotic stress groups.