Molecular characterization of short-day onion genotypes by intron length polymorphic (ILP) markers

Onion ( Allium cepa L.) is an economically important vegetable that is in high demand around the world. It is a highly cross pollinated crop, which could result in increased diversity and variability. As a result, characterization is a critical component of genetic improvement. Onion genetic resources characterization was done by using the most recently produced polymorphic DNA-based molecular markers in onion (ILP, intron length polymorphic markers). The genetic diversity of 48 onion genotypes is examined using 15 ILP markers in this study. The PIC values ranged from 0.08 to 0.96, with an average of 0.47, and amplification of ILP markers revealed a total of 18 loci, three of which are monomorphic. There were total of 647 bands obtained, with an average of 9.01 bands per genotype. The UPGMA dendrogram for the 48 onion genotypes is generated, based on Jaccard's similarity coefficient, results revealed by two diverse major groups. The average genetic similarity among 48 onion genotypes was found to be 0.665. PCoA analysis verified the clear division of the genotypes investigated into analogous clusters, similar to UPGMA analysis. Further the study revealed that, the genotypes collected have a wide range of diversity, and that molecular markers can be used to for characterization and to describe the level and pattern of genetic diversity in short-day onion for selection of diverse parental lines for hybridization, genetic improvement and breeding.