Genetic Diversity Analysis of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum Glaucum [L. R. Rr.]) Accessions from Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Pearl millet, a critically drought-tolerant cereal supporting millions in Northern Nigeria, possesses significant unexplored genetic diversity. This study addressed the research gap in north-western Nigeria by analysing the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of 69 pearl millet accessions using 8 polymorphic Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. The analysis confirmed substantial molecular diversity, revealing a total of 53 alleles with an average of 6.875 per locus, ranging from 3 (PSMP2248) to 9 (PSMP2080) alleles. Both factorial and phylogenetic cluster analyses demonstrated that genetic grouping was based on molecular similarity rather than geographical origin. The resulting clusters were small and exhibited high internal similarity, suggesting a history of seed exchange or shared ancestry among accessions. These findings confirm the rich genetic diversity present within the region's pearl millet populations. The study recommends further investigation using additional molecular markers to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the genetic resources available for this vital, under-researched crop.