Genetic diversity of African nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) complex grown in Kenya using SSR markers

Abstract

African nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) is a leafy vegetable consumed for its high nutritional and medicinal value in Kenya. This study was designed to assess the genetic diversity and identity among 30 accessions using six simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. A total of 33 alleles ranging from 3 to 9 alleles per marker were scored. A high polymorphic score of 82% was achieved with an average PIC value of 0.58 (0.42-0.82). Three clusters were generated. The accessions were distinct and geographical location did not influence the clustering. The SSR markers used were reliable in differentiating among the accessions.