Abstract:
Abstract Molecular characterization of germplasm
is important for sustainable exploitation of crops.
DNA diversity was measured using inter-retrotransposon-amplified-polymorphism
and inter-simple-sequence-repeat
markers in 203 Ethiopian landraces and
reference varieties of linseed (flax, Linum usitatissimum)
and wild Linum species. Molecular diversity
was high (PIC, 0.16; GD, 0.19) compared to other
reports from the species. Genotyping separated reference
from landrace accessions, and clustered landrace
accessions from different altitudes and geographical
regions. Collections showed evidence for recent
introduction of varieties in some regions. The phylogeny
supported L. bienne Mill. as the progenitor of
domesticated L. usitatissimum. Markers developed
here will be useful for genetic mapping and selection
of breeding lines. The results show the range of
characters that can be exploited in breeding lines
