Congruence between morphological and molecular markers for genetic diversity analysis applied to forage palm genotypes propagated via bioreactors

•Molecular markers distinguished morphologically similar genotypes.•Morphological markers separated forage palm genotypes based on phenotype.•It is possible to estimate genetic divergence in genotypes propagated in bioreactors. The in vitro multiplication of forage palm by temporary immersion bioreactors (TIBs) is a technique that allows the young plants production in a large scale with genetic and health quality. Phenotypic variables expressed at this stage may be useful in estimating genetic dissimilarity among forage palm species. One way to confirm to this hypothesis is to compare it with dissimilarity obtained via molecular analysis. The objective was to estimate the genetic divergence among eleven forage palm genotypes through morphological characterization in in vitro propagation and to relate it to molecular characterization. Genotypes were multiplied in temporary immersion bioreactors. At this phase, morphological descriptors such as length, diameter, dry and fresh mass of cladodes was evaluated. Molecular genotyping was performed by DNA extraction from young cladodes using (RAPD) primers. Dissimilarity based on molecular markers was estimated using the Jaccard Index. The morphological characteristics were compared individually by the Scott–Knott cluster test (p