Genetic diversity of Cucurbita moschata inbred lines selected from six different populations using HFO-TAG markers

This study evaluated the genetic diversity among 18 inbred lines of Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) using HFO-TAG (high frequency oligonucleotide–targeting active gene) markers. The inbred lines were selected from six different populations in Saudi Arabia and Egypt according to genetic distance and population origin. A total of 132 alleles were detected. Sixteen HFO-TAG markers averaged 8.25 alleles per primer with 125 alleles showing polymorphisms that averaged 7.81 alleles per primer. A cluster analysis of the means of the HFO-TAG data created three groups with similarity coefficients between 0.34 and 0.74. In general, the 18 inbred lines were separated according to pedigree and population origin. Hybrids from the chosen inbred lines, S1 L-1 with E L-2, S1 L-2 with E L-3, and S1 L-3 with E L-1, may be the basis for improved hybridization programs and can be used in future hybridization program