Plant breeding requires the collection of genetically diverse genetic resources. Studies on the characteristics of Platycodon grandiflorum resources have not been carried out so far. The present study was carried out to discriminate P. grandiflorum based on morphological characteristics and genetic diversity using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Methods and Results :We collected 11 P. grandiflorum cultivars: Maries II, Hakone double white, Hakone double blue, Fuji white, Fuji pink, Fuji blue, Astra white, Astra pink, Astra blue, Astra semi-double blue and Jangbaek. Analyses of the morphological characteristics of the collection were conducted for aerial parts (flower, stem and leaf) and underground parts (root). Next, the genetic diversity of all P. grandiflorum resources was analyzed using SSR markers employing the DNA fragment analysis method. We determined that the 11 P. grandiflorum cultivars analyzed could be classified by plant length, leaf number and root characteristic. Based on the genetic diversity analysis, these cultivars were classified into four distinct groups. Conclusions : These findings could be used for further research on cultivar development using molecular breeding techniques and for conservation of the genetic diversity of P. grandiflorum. Moreover, the markers could be used for genetic mapping of the plant and marker-assisted selection for crop breeding.

• 엄유리(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Yurry Um
• 이이(충북대학교 농업생명환경대학 특용식물학과) | Yi Lee
• Jin Mei-Lan(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부)
• 이대영(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Dae Young Lee
• 이재원(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Jae Won Lee
• 김금숙(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Geum Soog Kim
• 김창국(농촌진흥청 국립농업과학원 농생명자원부 유전체과) | Chang Kug Kim
• 홍창표(테라젠이텍스) | Chang Pyo Hong
• 김옥태(농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 인삼특작부) | Ok Tae Kim Corresponding author