Genetic diversity and population structure of Saharan bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landraces from Algeria revealed by SSR markers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.4896Keywords:
Genetic diversity, Population structure, Saharan landraces, SSR markers, Arid-zone adaptationAbstract
Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivation in the Algerian Sahara relies on traditional landraces that have evolved to withstand extreme hyper-arid environmental conditions. These local populations represent a vital yet under-utilized genetic resource for modern breeding programs aiming to improve drought and heat tolerance. This study investigated the genetic diversity and population structure of 16 local landraces collected from the Adrar and Tamanrasset regions in southern Algeria. Genotyping was performed using 13 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers selected for their reliable genome coverage. Genetic diversity parameters were estimated using standard metrics, while population structure was analyzed using Bayesian clustering approaches and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA). Results revealed a total of 72 alleles across the studied loci, with a mean of 5.54 alleles per locus. The genetic diversity indices indicated a moderate level of diversity, with a mean polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.57, a mean expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.573, and a mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.271. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) revealed that the majority of genetic variation resided among individuals (56%) and within individuals (32%), with a significant 12% attributed to genetic differentiation between the two geographic populations. Bayesian STRUCTURE analysis and PCoA consistently identified two distinct genetic pools that largely corresponded to the geographic origin of the accessions, although some admixture was observed. Overall, the results demonstrate substantial genetic variability and a clear structured population pattern within Saharan bread wheat. These landraces represent a valuable genetic resource for conservation strategies and for future research and breeding efforts targeting wheat improvement under water-limited environments.
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