24 cassava genotypes studied. This narrow variability is
a drawback from the point of view of breeders, because
they need high genetic variability to improve agronomic
traits and the genotypes are selected only based on very
few agronomic traits such as maturation time, height and
yield. Increasing genetic variability is crucial to breeding
programs.
For this aim, the closely related species could be the
useful source of variation for plant breeders because
within the genus interspecific crosses are usually
feasible and efficient in terms of selection pressure [19].
In conclusion, using genotypes from different
eco-geographical groups in breeding program will allow
widening of genetic base in cassava.
The SSR markers efficiently discriminated all
genotypes in this study. Hence, they may be readily used
in understanding relationship level, establishing
germplasm collections and integrating markers into
genetic linkage maps establishing germplasm core
collections.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
A fellowship grant was provided by the International
Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria to
carry out this research. The authors are grateful for
the financial backup and provision of necessary materials
and facilities.