Comparison of Cheng’s Index-and SSR Marker-based Classification of Asian Cultivated Rice

A total of 100 cultivated rice accessions,with a clear isozyme-based classification,were analyzed based on Cheng’s index and simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker.The results showed that the isozyme-based classification was in high accordance with that based on Cheng’s index and SSR markers.Mantel-test revealed that the Euclidean distance of Cheng’s index was significantly correlated with Nei’s unbiased genetic distance of SSR markers (r=0.466,P ≤ 0.01).According to the model-based group and cluster analysis,the Cheng’s index-and SSR-based classification coincided with each other,with the goodness of fit of 82.1% and 84.7% in indica,97.4% and 95.1% in japonica,respectively,showing higher accordance than that within subspecies.Therefore,Cheng’s index could be used to classify subspecies,while SSR marker could be more efficient to analyze the subgroups within subspecies.