Polymorphic Microsatellite Markers to Study Sugar Beet’s (Beta vulgaris L.) Genetic Diversity

The aim of the investigations is to reveal polymorphic microsatellite markers in order to study genetical diversity of sugar beet. Seedlings of sugar beet MS-lines and multi- and monogerm pollinators have been the material for the investigation. In experiments, 11 polymorphic Unigenes-markers and eight SSR-primers have been used to test starting materials. It has been determined that the length range of the obtained DNA-fragments is from 80 to 3000 bp. Most of the primers have provided stable amplification of DNA polymorphic fragments. The greatest level of polymorphism information content (PIC) has been determined for the loci identified using the following primers: Unigene 27 833 (PIC = 0.89), Unigene 2305 (PIC = 0.84), Unigene 17 623 (PIC = 0.84), Unigene 16 898 (PIC = 0.84), Unigene 24 552 (PIC = 0.64), Unigene 7492 (PIC = 0.82), FD1002 (PIC = 0.72), and Sb15 (PIC = 0.74). This enables clear differentiation of sugar beet breeding material. These loci have been related to various metabolic processes and play a large role in protective mechanisms of beet plants. The used primers make it possible to amplify up to 13 polymorphic bands per genotype. In Unigene 27 833, an SSR-locus, 13 PCR-products of 100–2800 bp in length have been identified. In total, 162 DNA-amplicons have been revealed. The value of polymorphism information content (PIC) is 0.89. It follows from the presented data that all nuclear microsatellite loci of the studied sugar beet samples included in the analysis show genetical variability, which allows for recommending them for use to identify genotypes of the crop. Based on the alleles revealed, the template of the investigated sugar beet samples’ genetic affinity has been calculated, clusters have been constructed, and genetical distance (Euclidean) has been calculated. Genetical passports have been made according to the PAST algorithm. The greatest determined genetical distance (D) is 5.83 between an MS-form and the tetraploid pollinator developed by Lgovskaya Breeding Experimental Station. To produce sugar beet heterosis hybrids, parent pairs have been suggested taking into account distantly-related of initial forms.