Genetic Diversity and Core Collection for Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cultivars from Cameroon as Revealed by SSR Markers

Twelve pairs of SSR markers were used to evaluate the genetic diversity of 138 accessions of potato cultivars from the Western Highlands region of Cameroon. The average Polymorphism information content (PIC) value (0.74) and number of alleles (7.08) indicated a high genetic diversity of the potato cultivars tested. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that most of the genetic variations are found within geographic region (≥ 91%), resulting in high gene flow (Nm > 4 individuals). Local varieties had significantly more alleles than exotic varieties. Genetic diversity estimates for accessions from low elevations were significantly lower than those from medium and high elevations. Cluster analysis showed three clusters; the model-based approach inferred two gene pools. Genotypes revealed a high level of admixture between gene pools within locations and elevations. A core collection identified in this study composed of 27 individuals representing 19.57% of the whole collection and captured 99.15% of the total alleles found.