Objective The study was carried out to reveal the genetic diversity of peanut varieties based on SSR primers in south China and indentify the genetic relationship among these varieties, with a view to provide molecular basis for the genetic improvement of peanut varieties.

Method The genetic diversity of 54 peanut varieties in regional tests of south China was analyzed based on 100 pairs of SSR primers, and clustering analysis was conducted The parental origin of 21 peanut varieties was also analyzed by pedigree analysis.

Result Polymorphisms were detected in 47 pairs of tested primers among the peanut varieties with 2-7 alleles per locus, with an average of 2.93 alleles. The value of polymorphism information content (PIC) varied from 0.067 to 0.764, with an average of 0.336. The results of clustering analysis indicated that the classification of the 54 peanut varieties based on SSR clustering was correlated with the variety origin, and varieties from the same province preferred to cluster together. Pedigree analysis showed that the parents of peanut varieties from 3 provinces (Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi) were overlapping. Yueyou 551, Yueyou 551-116, Shanyou 27, mainly cultivated from Fuhuasheng and Shitouqi, and Shanyou 71 and Shanyou 523, cultivated subsequently, were the backbone parents of peanut varieties in southern China.

Conclusion The genetic diversity of peanut varieties in regional tests of south China was similar, with a narrow genetic background. To broaden the genetic basis of peanut varieties and increase the genetic diversity of peanut varieties, peanut germplasm resources collected worldwide should be fully utilized and the backbone parents under new genetic background should be bred in the future.