Comparative genetic diversity analysis in chrysanthemum: A pilot study based on morpho-agronomic traits and ISSR markers

• Identification of diverse chrysanthemum genotypes based on quantitative traits.
• Identification of diverse chrysanthemum genotypes based on molecular markers.
• Identified genotypes are useful for future breeding experiments in chrysanthemum.
• Selection of suitable molecular marker to identify diverse chrysanthemum genotype.

Nine quantitative (morpho-agronomic) traits, five qualitative traits and 10 ISSR (inter simple sequence repeat) markers were used to survey genetic diversity in a set of 24 chrysanthemum genotypes. Multivariate analysis was performed on field data using Mahalanobis's D2-statistics, Tochers method of clustering and combined analysis of variance. Analysis of variance revealed considerable differences among the genotypes for all the morphological traits studied. Genotypes namely SKC-83, Ratlam Selection, Gaity and Selection 69 were found to be more diverse in both morphological and molecular analysis. Results suggested that both morphological traits and ISSR marker are highly useful for assessing genetic diversity and parental selection studies in chrysanthemum.