Molecular Genetic Evaluation of Ukrainian Flax Cultivar Homogeneity Based on Intron Length Polymorphism of Actin Genes and Microsatellite Loci

Abstract

The intron length polymorphism of actin genes and microsatellite loci was investigated to evaluate the genetic homogeneity of flax cultivars of Ukrainian breeding. It is established that the vast majority of flax cultivars are genetically heterogeneous. The cultivars Esman, Siverskyi, and Glazur, bred at the Institute of Bast Crops of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Ukraine, were found to be genetically homogeneous according to the results of analysis of the intron length polymorphism of actin genes and microsatellite markers. It was shown that the intron length polymorphism of actin genes is not a less-informative marker system for genetic profiling than popular SSR markers. Data were obtained confirming the expediency of further simultaneous use of the mentioned DNA marker systems to evaluate the genetic diversity of flax cultivars.