Assessment of genetic polymorphism in hop (Humulus lupulus L.) cultivars by ISSR-PCR analysis

Genetic diversity among 26 Russian and European cultivars of the common hop (Humulus lupulus L.) was studied using the ISSR - PCR technique. Twenty-one primers used provided amplification of 183 DNA fragments, 106 of which (57.9%) were found to be polymorphic. The ISSR markers, specific for some cultivars were revealed. Based on the genetic distances, cluster analysis was performed and a dendrogram was constructed, on which most of the hop cultivars formed two clusters according to their origin. Advantages of the ISSR - PCR analysis in breeding studies for classification and identification of common hop cultivars are discussed.