Genetic diversity and population structure of Nilaparvata lugens across agro-climatic regions of India using SSR markers

Authors

  • Gurjot Kaur Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana - 141 004, Punjab, India
  • Preetinder Singh Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana - 141 004, Punjab, India
  • Kumari Neelam School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana - 141 004, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/jefa.2026.21.2.11

Keywords:

Brown planthopper, SSR markers, genetic diversity, population structure, gene flow, polymorphic, alleles

Abstract

The brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens is a major rice pest causing significant yield losses across India. The present study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of N. lugens populations collected from Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal using Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. A total of 100 SSR markers were screened, of which 70 produced clear amplification, and 50 (71.42%) were polymorphic. These polymorphic markers generated 150 alleles, with 1 to 4 alleles per locus, indicating moderate genetic diversity. Cluster analysis using UPGMA grouped the populations into two major clusters, with most populations showing high genetic similarity, while a distinct population formed a separate cluster. The overall low genetic differentiation suggests extensive gene flow and migration among populations. The findings highlight the dynamic nature of N. lugens populations and provide valuable insights for developing region-specific and sustainable pest management strategies.

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References

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Published

2026-07-27

How to Cite

Kaur, G., Singh, P., & Neelam, K. (2026). Genetic diversity and population structure of Nilaparvata lugens across agro-climatic regions of India using SSR markers. Journal of Eco-Friendly Agriculture, 21(2), 256-259. https://doi.org/10.48165/jefa.2026.21.2.11