Characterization of Indian bred rose cultivars using morphological and molecular markers for conservation and sustainable management

Rose ( Rosa × hybrid L.) is one of the most important commercial ornamental crops cultivated worldwide for its beauty, fragrance and nutraceutical values. Characterization of rose germplasm provides precise information about the extent of diversity present among the cultivars. It also helps in cultivar identification, intellectual property right protection, variety improvement and genetic diversity conservation. In the present study, 109 Indian bred rose cultivars were characterized using 59 morphological and 48 SSR markers. Out of 48 SSRs used, 31 markers exhibited polymorphism and 96 alleles were identified with an average of 3.9 alleles per locus. Nei’s expected heterozygosity value of each locus ranged from 0.08 (with SSR ABRII/RPU32) to 0.78 (SSR Rh58). The similarity coefficient values ranged from 0.42 to 0.90 which indicated presence of moderated diversity among Indian cultivars. The neighbor-joining tree based on morphological data grouped the cultivars into two major clusters and several minor clusters based on their morphological resemblance. However, UPGMA dendrogram constructed using matching coefficient values grouped the cultivars into eight different clusters. Interpopulation analysis revealed higher genetic similarities between Hybrid Tea and Floribunda cultivars. An analysis for presence of population sub-structure grouped the Indian cultivars into eight different genetic groups. Analysis of molecular variance revealed apportioning of 97.59% of the variation to within subgroup diversity and 3.07% to between the cultivar groups. We have demonstrated here successful utilization of robust SSR to distinguish cultivars and assess genetic diversity among Indian bred rose cultivars. The information provided here is useful for cultivar identification and protection, cultivar improvement and genetic diversity conservation.