Knowledge about the genetic diversity of the available common bean germplasm can help breeders properly direct the choice of genetic material in the breeding process. The aim of the present work was to estimate the usefulness of 10 RAPD and 10 SCoT markers in genetic diversity detection among 33 common bean genotypes. Both molecular marker systems were able to generate high levels of polymorphism in the genetic material, which was supported by the relatively high polymorphic information content (PIC) values observed for the used markers. The Diversity Detection Index (DDI) and Marker Index (MI) were used to compare the effectiveness of RAPD and SCoT markers. For both techniques, high values of MI and DDI were calculated, representing their effectivity. The SCoT markers showed higher values of the parameters used (MI = 7.474, DI = 2.265) than the RAPD markers (MI = 5.323, DDI = 1.612), indicating their higher efficiency in the detection of molecular variability. Three constructed dendrograms and PCoA plots were created using RAPD and SCoT, and both methods combined confirmed sufficient separation of the bean genotypes from each other. At the same time, a higher efficiency of SCoT markers compared to RAPD markers in the detection of the genetic diversity of beans was also proven. The results may be of future interest in the choice of genetically distant material for breeding purposes.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the world's most important crop plants following wheat and rice, which provides staple food to large number of human population in the world. It is cultivated in a wider range of environments than wheat and rice because of its greater adaptability. Molecular characterization is frequently used by maize breeders as an alternative method for selecting more promising genotypes and reducing the cost and time needed to develop hybrid combinations. In the present investigation 40 genotypes of maize from Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Slovakia and Yugoslavia were analysed using 20 Start codon targeted (SCoT) markers. These primers produced total 114 fragments across 40 maize genotypes, of which 86 (76.43%) were polymorphic with an average of 4.30 polymorphic fragments per primer and number of amplified fragments ranged from 2 (SCoT 45) to 8 (SCoT 28 and SCoT 63). The polymorphic information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.374 (ScoT 45) to 0.846 (SCoT 28) with an average of 0.739. The dendrogram based on hierarchical cluster analysis using UPGMA algorithm was prepared. The hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the maize genotypes were divided into two main clusters. Unique maize genotype (cluster 1), Zuta Brzica, originating from Yugoslavia separated from others. Cluster 2 was divided into two main clusters (2a and 2b). Subcluster 2a contained one Yugoslavian genotype Juhoslavanska and subcluster 2b was divided in two subclusters 2ba and 2bb. The present study shows effectiveness of employing SCoT markers in analysis of maize, and would be useful for further studies in population genetics, conservation genetics and genotypes improvement.

Molecular characterization is frequently used by maize breeders as an alternative method for selecting more promising genotypes and reducing the cost and time needed to develop hybrid combinations. In the present investigation 20 genotypes of maize from Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Slovakia and Yugoslavia were analysed using 5 Start codon targeted (SCoT) markers. These primers produced total 29 fragments across 20 maize genotypes, of which 22 (77.90 %) were polymorphic with an average of 4.40 polymorphic fragments per primer and number of amplified fragments ranged from 4 (SCoT 8) to 7 (SCoT 12 and SCoT 23). The polymorphic information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.652 (ScoT 8) to 0.816 (SCoT 23) with an average of 0.738. The dendrogram of 20 maize genotypes based on SCoT markers using UGMA algorithm was constructed. The hierarchical cluster analysis divided maize genotypes into two main clusters. Unique 2 maize genotype Slovenska žltá and Slovenska krajová velkozrná, originated from Slovak Republic, separated from others. Cluster 2 containing 18 genotypes was divided into two main subclusters. Subcluster 2a contained two Poland genotypes Przebedowska Burskynowa and Zloty Zar, two genotypes of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics- Partizanka and Krasnodarskaja and one Czechoslovakian genotypes Milada. In subcluster 2b were grouped 13 maize genotypes. The present study shows effectiveness of employing SCoT markers in analysis of maize, and would be useful for further studies in population genetics, conservation genetics and genotypes improvement.

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The castor-oil plant (Ricinus communis L.), a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), is a versatile industrial oil crop that is cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Castor oil is of continuing importance to the global specialty chemical industry because it is the only commercial source of a hydroxylated fatty acid. Castor also has tremendous future potential as an industrial oilseed crop because of its high seed oil content, unique fatty acid composition, potentially high oil yields and ability to be grown under drought and saline conditions. Knowledge of genetic variability is important for breeding programs to provide the basis for developing desirable genotypes. The aim of this study was to assess genetic diversity within the set of 60 ricin genotypes using 10 SSR primers. Ten SSR primers revealed a total of 67 alleles ranging from 4 to 9 alleles per locus with a mean value of 6.70 alleles per locus. The PIC values ranged from 0.719 to 0.860 with an average value of 0.813 and the DI value ranged from 0.745 to 0.862 with an average value of 0.821. Probability of identity (PI) was low ranged from 0.004 to 0.018 with an average of 0.008. A dendrogram was constructed from a genetic distance matrix based on profiles of the 10 SSR loci using the unweighted pair-group method with the arithmetic average (UPGMA). According to analysis, the collection of 60 diverse accessions of castor bean was clustered into six clusters. We could not distinguish 2 genotypes grouped in cluster 1, RM-96 and RM-98, which are genetically the closest. Knowledge on the genetic diversity of castor can be used to future breeding programs of castor.