ASSESSMENT OF GENETIC VARIABILITY OF OPEN-POLLINATED OIL PALM IN SOUTHERN THAILAND USING SSR MARKERS

Abstract

Genetic variability of plant materials is very crucial when they are used for breeding purpose. In this present study, genetic variation of 100 open pollinated seeds of tenera hybrid (dura x pisifera) from five provinces in southern Thailand including Phang-nga, Krabi, Surat Thani, Trang and Chumphon were assessed using SSR markers. Seven SSR primers produced 20 alleles with the average of 2.86 alleles per locus. AMOVA analysis based on sampling locations indicated that 99% of genetic variation was observed within populations rather than among populations. Therefore, oil palm populations from different provinces were not significantly diverged. The genetic relationships among oil palm genotypes were further analyzed using cluster analysis and PCoA based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficient. One hundred oil palms were clustered into two groups, regardless of sampling locations. These analyses are useful information for establishing material for breeding program and for crossing scheme. High genetic variability to be included in breeding population can be achieved by selecting oil palms from two different clusters identified.