Genetic diversity analysis and breeding potential evaluation of innovative sugarcane germplasm based on fluorescent SSR

To clarify the genetic differences between the Yunrui series innovative germplasm and commonly used sugarcane parental resources, and to identify elite new germplasm for sugarcane breeding, two types of materials were analyzed: 61 commonly used sugarcane parents, including both domestic and international varieties (lines), and 54 accessions of Yunrui innovative germplasm. Genetic diversity, genetic relationships, and population structure were evaluated using fluorescent SSR markers. Additionally, agronomic traits of the Yunrui germplasms were assessed in both plant cane and ratoon cane, and comprehensively evaluated using the DTOPSIS method. The results showed that 66 pairs of SSR primers detected 368 and 355 loci in the commonly used parents and Yunrui germplasm, respectively. The gene diversity indices were 0.6746 and 0.6773, and the average polymorphism information content (PIC) values were 0.6179 and 0.6201, indicating high genetic diversity in both groups. UPGMA clustering classified the 115 accessions into five groups, clearly distinguishing the Yunrui germplasm from the commonly used parents. These findings were supported by population structure and principal coordinate analyses, confirming genetic differentiation between the Yunrui germplasm and current parental lines. The DTOPSIS analysis identified 23 Yunrui accessions with superior comprehensive traits. These accessions exhibited promising yield and sugar-related characteristics, suggesting their potential as parents for breeding high-yielding, high-sugar content varieties. This study not only revealed the genetic differentiation between Yunrui innovative germplasm and commonly used parents based on SSR markers, but also demonstrated their breeding potential through comprehensive trait evaluation using the DTOPSIS method. The findings provide valuable parental resources for sugarcane breeding and contribute to broadening the crop’s genetic base.