Validation of sorghum quality control (QC) markers across African breeding lines

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a cereal crop of critical importance in the semi-arid tropics, particularly in Africa where it is second only to maize (Zea mays L.) by area of cultivation. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics sorghum breeding program for Eastern and Southern Africa is the largest in the region and develops improved varieties for target agro-ecologies. Varietal purity and correct confirmation of new crosses are essential for the integrity and efficiency of a breeding program. We used 49 quality control (QC) kompetitive allele-specific PCR single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to genotype 716 breeding lines. Note that 46 SNPs were polymorphic with the top 10 most informative revealing polymorphism information content (PIC), minor allele frequency (MAF), and observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.37, 0.43, and 0.02, respectively, and explaining 45% of genetic variance within the first two principal components (PC). Thirty-nine markers were highly informative across 16 Burkina Faso breeding lines, out of which the top 10 revealed average PIC, MAF, and Ho of 0.36, 0.39, and 0.05, respectively. Discriminant analysis of principal components done using top 30 markers separated the breeding lines into five major clusters, three of which were distinct. Six of the top 10 most informative markers successfully confirmed hybridization of crosses between genotypes IESV240, KARIMTAMA1, F6YQ212, and FRAMIDA. A set of 10, 20, and 30 most informative markers are recommended for routine QC applications. Future effort should focus on the deployment of these markers in breeding programs for enhanced genetic gain. Validated informative single nucleotide polymorphism markers should be deployed for routine use in African breeding programs. The use of quality control markers for routine hybridity confirmation will fast track varietal development process. The ease of using kompetitive allele-specific PCR markers will enhance their utilization in sorghum breeding programs. Our study will enhance the use of DNA fingerprinting for faster development of improved varieties in sorghum, which is a drought-tolerant cereal crop.