Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2018) 7(3): 3268-3274 3268 Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.703.377 Genetic Diversity Assessment in Pigeonpea Cultivars Using Microsatellite (SSR) Markers Nagaraj Hullur 1* , B.N. Radha 2 , B. Basavaraja 1 , B.C. Channakeshava 3 and M. Byregowda 4 1 Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Karekere, Hassan-573225, India 2 Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Sericulture, Chintamani, India 3 Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, India 4 AICRP on Pigeonpea, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Introduction Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Mills.] is one of the important grain legumes of India, which plays an important role in food security, balanced diet and alleviation of poverty (Rao et al., 2002). It contains 22-24 percent protein, which is rich in essential amino acids and abundant in minerals, vitamins, iodine and iron (Saxena, 2002). It is also used as fuel wood and for rearing of lac insects (Zenghong et al., 2001). Besides, its usages as hedges and windbreaks and for green manuring and house roofing are also documented. It has an inherent ability to withstand environmental stresses especially drought due to its paraheliotrophic nature (Nene and Shaila 1990). International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 03 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Genetic diversity among 20 cultivars of pigeonpea ( Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.) analysed using twelve SSR markers. Although most of the cultivars indicated polymorphism for the studied primers, cultivars BRG-2, BRG 5, GRG 818, HY3C, ICP 8863, ICPL 87119 and JKM 189 could amplify specific unique amplicon at higher molecular weight (138-148 bp) when primer CCB-8 was used. Similarly cultivars AKT 08-02, CoRG 9701, GRG 818, JKM 189, JKM 206, TS 3R, TTB, WRG 173 and WRP 1 could amplify specific unique amplicon at higher molecular weight (155-180 bp) when CCB-9 primer was used. In case of primer PB-3, cultivars AKT 08-02, BRG 1, BRG 3, CoRG 9701, GRG 822, ICP 8863 could amplify specific unique amplicon at higher molecular weight (280-340 bp) and primer PB-8 could amplify cultivars BDN 2, BRG 1, BRG-2, BRG 3, BRG 4, JKM 189, JKM 209, TS 3R, TTB-7 at higher molecular weight (305-320bp). Among the twelve primers (CCB-10, CCB-3, CCB-6, CCB-7, CCB-8, CCB-9, PB-1, PB-3, PB-7, PB-8, PB- 9, PB-10) used in the present study for genetic diversity assessment CCB-8, CCB-9, PB-3 and PB-8 can be useful in detecting the genetic structure of the plants rapidly and easily by PCR technique via marker aided selection in early stages of growth. Keywords Pigeonpea diversity, SSR, Microsatellite markers Accepted: 26 February 2018 Available Online: 10 March 2018 Article Info