Genetic diversity and population structure of cultivated bromeliad accessions assessed by SRAP markers

Little information is available about the genetic characterization of cultivated bromeliads thus far. This study was aimed to determine the level and pattern of genetic diversity and population structure for cultivated bromeliads with sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers. The 11 SRAP primer combinations generated a total of 469 bands, of which 436 (92.06%) were polymorphic. The Jaccard's similarity ranged from 0.08 to 0.87 and averaged 0.29, indicative of considerable diversity among the cultivated bromeliads. Additionally, SRAP marker was proven reliable for discriminating cultivars, hybrids, and bud sports of bromeliads. A Bayesian-based approach, together with the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), assigned the entire bromeliads to four subgroups: Neoregelia, Guzmania, Vriesea and Aechmea, well corresponding with the origin information. Within subgroups, the least level of genetic diversity was observed for Neoregelia and relatively high genetic diversities were detected in the other three subgroups. Results from this study would benefit to make use of these germplasm and also provide valuable information for later association mapping in bromeliads.

► Cultivated bromeliads were first characterized using SRAP markers with an emphasis on genetic diversity and population structure.
► SRAP marker was proven reliable for discriminating cultivars, hybrids, and bud sports of cultivated bromeliads.
► Considerable diversity was observed for the cultivated bromeliads here.
► The Bayesian-based structuring, together with the UPGMA clustering and PCoA, assigned the cultivated bromeliads corresponding well with the origin information.