Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Fingerprinting of Sugarcane Varieties Using Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) fingerprinting was chosen because of its high polymorphism, which enables precise analysis of genetic diversity, for the assessment of genetic variety among several sugarcane varieties. This method focuses on certain areas of the sugarcane genome and offers important insights into the distinctive genetic patterns and relationships between the many sugarcane types under study. To increase sugarcane production and resilience, crop development plans, breeding programmes, and conservation activities must be guided by the data obtained by SSR fingerprinting. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and fingerprinting of eight sugarcane varieties (Isd 16, Isd 20, Isd 21, Isd 24, Isd 28, Isd 29, Isd 30, and Isd 31) using four SSR primers. A simple and efficient method for DNA isolation was employed, and the primers successfully amplified a total of 59 bands from the eight varieties. The results showed that the marker SMC687CS exhibited the highest number of alleles and genotypes per locus, followed by SMC336BS and SMC334BS, while SMC119CG showed the lowest. The highest PIC value was obtained from the marker SMC687CS, indicating its high level of polymorphism. The four SSR markers were able to distinguish 56.25% of all the cultivars evaluated, with the highest linkage distance recorded between the varieties Isd 24 and Isd 28. This study identified and classified the eight sugarcane varieties, indicating genetic differences among them that coincide with their field performances.