Microsatellite Markers Based Molecular Variability among Locally Collected Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. Genotypes

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is an important deep-rooted pulse crop, predominantly cultivated in rainfed areas by small and marginal farmers in India and South Africa. The crop’s productivity is severely constrained due to abiotic and biotic stresses in its agro-ecosystem. Molecular variability assessment in pigeonpea can be the key for successful breeding to mitigate the crop from future biotic and abiotic stresses. Molecular markers based genetic diversity analysis was done to evaluate locally collected 32 genotypes of pigeonpea. Total 20 microsatellite markers were used in the present analysis. Pigeonpea genotypes had higher level of genetic diversity. Microsatellite markers were able to discriminate the studied genotypes into three clusters. Most of the genotypes were grouped together according to their collection sites. The findings of the present study open the window of opportunity,  for future research and exploitation of these locally collected genotypes for pigeonpea crop improvement.