Abstract:
Microsatellite (SSR) markers have been accepted and employed as useful tools for measuring genetic diversity and
divergence within and among populations. In this study, the utility of 15 SSR markers in discrimination of 33
Orobanche cumana (broomrape) populations from different geographical locations (Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria,
Serbia, Turkey, China) was assessed. A total of 279 O. cumana plants were genotyped and 110 alleles identified. The
level of genetic polymorphism of SSR markers was evaluated by calculating the effective number of alleles per locus
(Ne), which demonstrated an average of 5.243, Polymorphic Information Content index (PIC: 0.745), Nei's genetic
diversity (H: 0.782) and, Resolving power (Rp: 5.794). Most markers showed PIC values higher than 0.5, indicating a
big genetic polymorphism in O. cumana populations. Based on the Rp index and PIC values, genetic diversity in the
broomrape populations from Turkey (Rp: 4.774, PIC: 0.722) and Moldova (Rp: 4.394, PIC: 0.716) was higer than in
other populations. However, the studied microsatellite markers system characterized very well the genetic structure of
all O. cumana populations included in this study. Seven SSR markers (Ocum-052, Ocum-059, Ocum-074, Ocum-081,
Ocum-087, Ocum-196, Ocum-197) were selected based on the statistical analysis as the most informative and efficient
markers for measuring genetic diversity in O. cumana
