Analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of a worldwide collection of Corchorus olitorius L. germplasm using microsatellite markers

ABSTRACTJute (Corchorus spp.) is the second most important global natural fiber crop after cotton. Analyses of the genetic diversity and population structure of the germplasm are useful for improving Corchorus breeding. Recently, limited studies on genetic diversity and population structure in jute have been carried out. In the present study, the genetic diversity and population structure of 453 accessions in Corchorus olitorius L., including cultivars, landraces, genetic materials and wild germplasm, were analyzed using 39 SSR markers. The results showed that C. olitorius populations have moderate genetic diversity with an average gene diversity (he) value of 0.322 and polymorphic information content (PIC) value of 0.270 in all accessions. Regarding the geographic distribution, the average he and PIC values were highest in Kenya (0.332, 0.273), followed by Nepal (0.307, 0.259), and China (0.303, 0.253). Among the different germplasm types, the wild germplasm showed higher genetic diversity with an averag...