Genetic diversity in tef (Eragrostis tef) germplasm using SSR markers

The Institute of Biodiversity Conservation (IBC) in Ethiopia curates a large number of tef accessions, but there is little information about the genetic variation among the accessions. This study assessed the genetic diversity and relationships among 326 cultivated tef accessions, 13 wild relatives, and four commercial tef varieties from the U.S. using 39 SSR markers, 26 of which were flanking QTL intervals for yield, lodging index and stem strength related traits. We estimated the allelic diversity and identified markers associated with agronomic traits in this tef germplasm collection. Forty-seven loci were sufficient to differentiate 80.8% of the tef accessions. In contrast to earlier studies, genetic similarity estimates ranged from 0.21 to 0.99, indicating a high level of genetic diversity. In the course of this investigation, it was discovered that seed admixture is a serious problem affecting the integrity of almost all released tef varieties. Association was observed between the marker CNLTs540 and seed weight/plant. The majority of the alleles detected were present in tef breeding lines and varieties suggesting that tef plant breeders have been using a broad range of germplasm in their programs. The markers documented in this study will be useful to identify and verify hybrids from crosses between promising lines that lack morphological differences, an approach that was never attempted before in the tef breeding programs.

► We examined genetic diversity and relationships among 330 cultivated tef and 13 wild accessions.
► 39 SSR markers differentiated 80.8% of the accessions and revealed a high level of genetic diversity.
► It was discovered that seed admixture is a serious problem affecting the integrity of tef varieties.
► Results indicate that tef plant breeders have been using a broad range of germplasm in their programs.
► Markers used in this study will be useful to hybrids from crosses involving similar parents.