Diversity analysis of Indian sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam) genotypes using simple sequence repeat markers

Eighty-two genotypes of sweet potato of the Indian collection were subjected to molecular characterization using 29 simple sequence repeat markers (SSR) to study molecular-level genetic diversity. A total of 70 alleles with an average of 0.47 PIC value was recorded. The SAHN dendrogram based on UPGMA clustering method depicted total 6 sub-clusters where the highest K values for different genetically distinct populations interpreted was 5. POPGENE structure revealed the smallest group of total seven genotypes with highest genetic purity from genotypes from the states of West Bengal and Telangana. Factorial analysis majorly differentiated the genotypes between two groups of eastern and middle with collections of southern India. These genotypes collected from diverse geographical regions showed great genetic diversity, possibly having some influence on their adaptation due to geography.