Genetic resources of red clover (
Trifolium pratense
L.)
are the basis for the improvement of this important forage
legume. The objective of this study was microsatellite
characterization of the accessions from the collection of
the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad,
Serbia. Molecular evaluation of 46 red clover genotypes
was performed by applying the set of 14 primer pairs of
microsatellite markers. These primer pairs amplified a total
of 187 alleles, with an average of 13.36 alleles per
locus
and average polymorphism information content (PIC) value
was 0.306. The minimum values of Dice genetic distances
based on polymorphism of microsatellite markers were
found among genotypes NCPGRU2 and NCPGRU5 (0.311)
and the highest values of genetic distances were determined
for a couple of genotypes Violeta and BGR2 (0.933). The
average genetic distance between all pairs of genotypes
amounted 0.587. The results of the principal coordinate
analysis (PCoA) were consistent with the results obtained
on the basis of cluster analysis, except that the PCoA
allocated another four genotypes. There was no relationship
between groups of genotypes formed by the use of cluster
analyses and PCoA with their geographical origin. Analysis
of molecular variance of 46 red clover genotypes by the
status and ploidy level was significant, but it also suggested
a weak genetic differentiation of groups formed on the basis
of those characteristics. Observed groups of genotypes,
according to the cluster analyses and PCoA of microsatellite
data, could be used in future breeding programs for the
selection of germplasm.
