Genetic Diversity among the Indigenous Chrysanthemum Accessions (Dendranthema boreale (Makino) Ling ex Kitam.) in Korea Revealed by SSR Markers

Dendranthema boreale, grows well on moist clayey soils in full sun and in the mountains of Korea. In Korea, D. boreale has been used for many medicinal uses. Little information is available regarding genetic study with wild chrysanthemum by SSR markers. In the present study, the genetic diversity of forty two indigenous chrysanthemum (D. boreale) accessions of Korea, was explored using eleven cross amplified SSR markers. In total, 87 alleles were identified with an average of 8 alleles per locus. KNUCRY-94 gave the highest polymorphic information content (PIC) value (0.806), while KNUCRY-28 gave lowest (0.392). Two main groups could be clustered among the accessions. Very high heterozygosity values of the accessions were detected by these markers reflected the high degree of crossing and admixtures among these accessions. These SSR markers will be useful for further studies in genetic diversity, identification, conservation, core set construction, and crop improvement of Chrysanthemum germplasm.