Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Wild Emmer Wheat (Triticum dicoccoides) and Durum Wheat (Triticum durum) Accessions Using CAAT and SCoT Markers

Wild emmer is one of the progenitors of wheat, with a high genetic potential for breeding. Continuous evaluations of emmer and other progenitor species are necessary for long-term improvement in yield, agronomic, and stress-related traits. For this purpose, genetic diversity and relationships among 43 wild emmer (Triticum dicoccoides) and 5 durum wheat (Triticum durum) accessions were determined using two DNA marker systems, CAAT box-derived polymorphism (CBDP) and start codon targeted (SCoT) markers. CAAT and SCoT markers generated 63 and 76 polymorphic bands, averaging 9 and 7.6 bands per primer, respectively. The discriminating power, effective multiplex ratio, expected heterozygosity, mean heterozygosity, marker index, polymorphism information content, and resolving power parameters obtained for both marker systems showed the high efficiency of these markers in detecting genetic variation in wild emmer and durum wheat. The results showed that CAAT and SCoT markers with average polymorphism are suitable marker systems for detecting genetic variation between a pool of accessions or populations. These markers would be employed for gene-targeted breeding, and the results indicate that genetic analysis with these markers would be practicable for agricultural improvement and development initiatives.