Diversity in Indian barley (Hordeum vulgare) cultivars and identification of genotype-specific fingerprints using microsatellite markers

Barley, Hordeum vulgare L., is one of the principal cereal crop of the world. There is a recognized need to reliably distinguish varieties of crop plants and establish their purity as a prerequisite for any breeding programme (Russel et al. 1997;Matus and Hayes 2002). Assessment of the extent of genetic variability within cultivated crop has important consequences in plant breeding and conservation of genetic resources (Petersen et al. 1994). The systematic evaluation of the molecular diversity encompassed in barley genetic resources is a prerequisite for its ecient exploitation in breeding as well as for development of the strategies for optimal conservation of genetic diversity (Malysheva-Otto et al. 2006). It is particularly useful in the characterization of individual accessions and cultivars, in detecting duplication of genetic material in germplasm collection and as a general guide for the choice of parents for breeding hybrids. In the context of plant improvement, this information provides basis for making decisions regarding selection of parental combinations that will maximize gain for selection and maintain genetic diversity.