Horticultural, Chemical and Genetical Diversity Using Ssr Markers in Leek Germplasm Collection

Leek accessions obtained from two gene bank in addition to local genotype were characterized for their morphological, yield, mineral content, chemical traits and genetic diversity. Significant and broad variation was found among the accessions for morphological (plant height and total yield), mineral contents (nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur) and chemical (carbohydrates, phenols, thiosulfanates and allicin) traits. Our results proved that the Kong Richard, G-1722 and Kumanovski genotypes were suitable to cultivate under Egyptian conditions because of high plant growth and yield. However, high nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, carbohydrates, phenols as well as thiosulfanates and allicin were recorded in El-Balady, G-1948, Domasen, G-1530, Lokalen and Visok genotypes. Also, this study characterized genetic diversity among twenty four genotypes by analysis of 5 SSR loci. A total of 152 alleles and polymorphic information content (PIC) value of 0.97, suggests a relatively high level of genetic redundancy in this leek collection. Cluster analysis using different methodologies (UPGMA, STRUCTURE, and PCoA) consistently and clearly separated these germplasms into two different groups according to their life form, i.e., perennial and biennial genotypes. Also, principal component analysis (PCA) divided the tested genotypes into three groups (perennial and cultivar genotypes, biennial and landraces, biennial and cultivar genotypes) based on life form and biological status. However, morphological data did not show a clear pattern cluster based on PCA. These results have provided important insights into the phenotypic and genetic variability of leek genotypes obtained from IPK and USDA gene banks using morphological, mineral, biochemical contents as well as SSR markers for the first time. Also, the diversity analysis performed in this study provides valuable information to researchers for future studies.