Molecular Genetic Identification of Some Sweet Sorghum - Sorghum bicolor L. (Ankolib) Accessions - Sudan

. Molecular Genetic Identification of Some Sweet Sorghum - Sorghum bicolor L


Introduction
The classification and identification of all known plants have gradually shifted from purely artificial systems to more accurate systems that are based on genetic experimentations. This development of Plant Taxonomy is a reflection of the development and application of new techniques. Taxonomists have now made the new techniques applied in the field of Ecology, Histology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Cytogenetic and Molecular Biology. The accurate, fast, reliable and cost-effective identification of plant population and varieties is essential in agriculture as well as in pure and applied plant research. Methods of varietals identification are most frequently based on assessment of a range of morphological characteristics, while these methods are very effective for many purposes, morphological comparison may have limitations including subjectivity in the analysis of the character, the influence of environmental or management practices on the character limited diversity among cultivars with highly similar pedigrees and the confining of expression of some diagnostic characters to a particular stage of development, such as flowering and fruit ripening. These considerations have led to the exploration or adoption of other techniques for varietals identification [1]. New techniques based on DNA profiling provide novel approaches to varietals identification which offer advantages over all of other techniques (Figure 8 & 10) and methods for demonstrating distinctness because: 1/ The DNA sequence of an organism is unique and independent of environmental conditions or management practices. 2/ The presence of the same DNA in every living cell of the plant allows tests of any tissue at any stage of growth (provided that the DNA is sufficient purity). 3/ The recent advent of the polymerase chain reaction PCR has enabled the development of new DNA profiling techniques Table 3 that are simply and quickly performed. Therefore, attention has increasingly focused on the DNA molecule as a source of informative polymorphisms. DNA profiling techniques have two applications: 1/ DNA Fingerprinting, identifies individuals by the unique profile produced when their DNA is separated into a series of fragments and resolved into sized classes. This technique has potential in the specific identification of plant cultivars and their subsequent protection. 2/ Gene Mapping allows researchers to mark genes or chromosomes regions that are related to genetic traits such as pests or disease resistance, fruit size, fruit color and stress-tolerance…etc.
A particular advantage of such technique is that complex polygenic traits can be analyzed. Mapping techniques can also be used to isolate genes based entirely on their behavior. Once these have been identified, sequenced and cloned. Gene transfer techniques can be used to transfer them to other species. The sustainable development of large areas of the world is today one of the greatest challenges. The living conditions of large parts of the world population are greatly affected by the availability of energy, together with food and water. As most developing countries have limited fossil fuel indigenous resources, import of energy fills the increasing difference between demand and production. Consequently, nowadays a large number of motivation and a growing interest exist for the development of renewable sources of energy, like energy systems based on biomass, in particular energy crops, such as sweet sorghum.
Sweet sorghum has been selected as the main biomass resource for the following reasons: • It has a very high yield (up to 80 tons/ha. of fresh matter) in terms of starch, sugar, ligno-cellulosic component and today can be considered as the most versatile and promising crop (food-feed-energy). • It has two times the photosynthetic efficiency in comparison with Sugar Beet, Soybean, Wheat…etc., (Its photorespiration can almost not be measured). • It can be grown in a wide range of latitudes (tropical, subtropical and temperate zones) as well as on poor quality soil. • It requires very low fertilizer and water input. The water requirement for growing sweet sorghum is one of the lowest: about 1/2 of the requirement for corn and about 1/3 of the requirement for sugar cane. • Its growth period is short (4-5 months) in comparison with Sugar cane (8-24 months).The versatility of sweet sorghum is reflected in the range of research going on around the world into sweet sorghum production. • It is a low water-use, stress tolerant crop with considerable potential for future small and large-scale exploitation. All these benefits and the importance of the sweet sorghum as the most promising (food-feed-energy) crop for the twenty-first century and its potential to aid development encourage the author to carry out this study. In this study, we are going to identify some sweet Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Accessions in Sudan, using DNA-based markers like random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and simple sequence repeats (SSRs) Figure 9.

Botanical Description
Sorghum is a vigorous grass that varies between (0.5-5.0 m.) in height. It is an annual plant. It produces one or many tillers, which emerge initially from the base and later from stem nodes. The root system consists of fibrous adventitious roots that emerge from the lowest nodes of the stem, below and immediately above ground level. Roots are normally concentrated in the top (0.9 m.) of soil but may extend to twice that depth and can extend to (1.5 m.) in lateral spread. The stem is solid, usually erect. Its center can be dry or juicy, insipid or sweet to taste. The center of the stem can become pithy with spaces. Leaves vary in number from (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24), depending on the cultivar. They are borne alternately in two ranks. Leaf sheaths vary in length between (15-35 cm.) and encircle the stem with their margins overlapping. The leaf sheath often has a waxy bloom. Leaves are from (30-135 cm.) long and (1.5-13 cm.) wide, with flat or wavy margins. Midribs are white or yellow in dry pithy cultivars or green in juicy cultivars. The inflorescence is a panicle, usually erect, but sometimes recurved to form a gooseneck. The panicle has a central rachis, with short or long primary, secondary and sometimes tertiary branches, which bear groups of spikelets. The length and closeness of the panicle branches determine panicle shape, which varies from densely packed conical or oval to spreading and lax. The grain is usually partially covered by glumes. The seed is rounded and bluntly pointed, from (4-8 mm.) in diameter and varying in size, shape and color with cultivar.

Geographic Distribution
Sorghum originated in the north-eastern quadrant of Africa, where the greatest variability in wild and cultivated species is found to this day. It was probably domesticated in Ethiopia by selection from wild sorghum between (5.000 and 7.000) years ago. From this center of origin, it was distributed along trade and shipping routes throughout Africa, and through the Middle East to India at least (3.000) years ago. It reached China along the silk route. Sorghum was first taken to America through the slave trade from West Africa. It was reintroduced in late 19th century for commercial cultivation and has subsequently been introduced into South America and Australia. Although wild varieties of sorghum are attested as early as (8.000) years ago in the Nilotic regions of southern Egypt and Sudan, the location of its true domestication within East Africa is still speculative. It is widely held that genetics separation of domesticated Sorghum bicolor L. from its progenitor did not occur much before (2.000) years ago somewhere in East Africa, possibly the Ethiopian highlands, but more likely further west. The presence of true domesticated S. bicolor L. is claimed much earlier than this (3.700 -4.900) years ago in India, Oman and Yemen, although the identity of the remains as full domesticates is still disputed. Sorghum is now widely found in the drier areas of Africa, Asia, America and Australia.

Uses of Sorghum bicolor (L.)
Sweet Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench is the only crop that provides grain and stem that can be used for sugar, alcohol, syrup, jaggery, fodder, fuel, bedding, roofing, fencing, paper and chewing [2]. Sweet sorghum has been widely used for the production of forage and silage for animal feed. It has also been used for nearly (150) years to produce concentrated syrup with a distinctive flavor [3,4] mentioned that, the primary products from sweet sorghum are based on exploiting the high levels of sugars found in the stem. These products include Ethanol, Syrup, and Crystalline sugar, Electricity (produced from burning the residual fiber and Particleboard or paper (from the fiber) Sucrose-type sweet sorghum, which mainly contains sucrose, can be used for refining crystal sugar. Syrup-type sweet sorghum, which mainly contains glucose, can be used for producing syrup; it is also a material of quality for making drinking wine and alcohol. [4], also noted that sweet sorghum has a medicinal use, the inflorescence has astringent, haemostatic and antidiarrhea properties and can be administered as infusion, tincture and medicinal wine. The stem is used in Nigerian traditional medicine for the treatment of anemia, especially during pregnancy. The oil crisis of (1973) and (1976) renewed interest in the commercial production of sweet sorghum for biological transformation into ethyl alcohol for use as fuel or fuel additive [5]. In Sudan grain sorghum contributes about (39%) of the calories in the human diet, while sweet sorghum is mainly used as fodder. In Sinnar Locality. The grains are ground and used as especial flour.

Molecular Studies
Recent advances in Molecular Biology, principally in the development of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for amplifying (DNA), (DNA) sequencing and data analysis have resulted in powerful techniques which can be used for the screening, characterization and evaluation of genetic diversity. The extensive number of research articles currently appearing in the literature, describing the use of these techniques in a wide range of plant species and diversity problems, is testimony to their increasing impact in this field. Application of (DNA) technology in seed research has progressed rapidly during the last ten years, especially in the area of cultivar identification. DNA fingerprinting technique has a promising application in this respect. A cultivar identification test based on (DNA) genetic fingerprints would be much faster than the official methods of variety identification, which require growing of suspect plants to the flowering stage, in parallel with control plants [6]. Reported that the use of DNA-based markers for the genetic analysis and manipulation of important agronomic traits has become an increasing useful tool in plant breeding. DNA markers have the potential to enhance the operation of plant breeding programs through a number of ways ranging from genetic diversity, increasing the efficiency of selection for difficult traits and making environmental neutral selection possible. The problem of (DNA) extraction is still an important issue in the field of plant molecular biology. A good extraction procedure for the isolation of (DNA) should yield adequate and intact (DNA) of reasonable purity. The procedure should also be quick, simple and cheap. DNA extraction is difficult in a variety of plants because of the presence of metabolites that interfere with (DNA) isolation procedures and downstream applications such as DNA restriction, amplification and cloning [7]. Various plants contain high levels of polysaccharides and many types of secondary metabolites affecting (DNA) purification. A good protocol for the isolation of (DNA) from leaf material containing large quantities of polyphenol, tannins and polysaccharides was reported by [8] using modified CTAB extraction method by applying high salt concentrations to remove polysaccharides and PVP to remove polyphenols. This modified CTAB protocol was used by [7] for (DNA) extraction from dry and fresh leaves of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), they mentioned that this method solved the problems of (DNA) degradation, contamination and low yield due to binding and/or co-precipitation with starches and polysaccharides [9]. Reported that, the knowledge of genetic relationships and distance among individuals provide useful information for breeders, and this can then be exploited to obtain the benefit from the potential of each population. They also stated that, molecular-assisted genetic analysis provide means to locate and select genes controlling important agronomic, pest-resistance, stress-tolerance and food quality traits. Genetic relationships facilitate the identification of diverse parents to cross in hybrid combination in order to maximize the expression of heterosis [10,11] and [12]. In India [13] reported that two sweet sorghum varieties (S21-3-1 and S23-1-1) were developed by crossing American lines with a local variety. These two varieties were found to be useful for their sugar content to produce ethanol and their grains to produce flour. Analysis of the extent and distribution of genetic variation in a crop is essential in understanding the evolutionary relationship between accessions and to sample genetic resources in a more systematic fashion for breeding and conservation purposes [14,15] mentioned that accurate identification of new varieties is essential to plant variety protection. The plant variety protection act (PVPA) of (1970) was established to help plant breeders protect their crop cultivars from commercial exploitation by others. DNAbased markers played a great role in this respect since they provide unique (DNA) fingerprints for plant varieties and cultivars ensuring their protection under the (PVPA). Various techniques have been used to mark individual characters in segregating population and constructing genetic maps. Initially, isozymes were used as markers.
Recently, more precise marker techniques such as: RFLPs, RAPDs, AFLPs VNTRs and SSRs were widely used [16]. Each marker technique has its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of a molecular marker technique depends on its reproducibility and simplicity. DNA markers are used to evaluate the genetic variation in gene banks, as well as to identify phylogenetic and molecular structure of crops and their associated wild species.
The RAPD Technique PCR based marker like random amplified polymorphic (DNA) (RAPD) was developed independently by [17] and [18]. This technique was widely used to fingerprint a wide range of species from microorganisms to human. In plants, the technique is used to identify Wheat, Maize, Date, Palms, Corn and Soybean. Cultivars the appeal of this technique was largely due to its ease in applications. However, the random nature of the primers makes the results non-reproducible. The advantages of this technique are:-The markers used seem to be virtually unlimited and are present in all organisms-RAPD markers have a great potential to detect (DNA) Polymorphism between genotypes of the same species. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is quick [19,20] and well adapted for nonradioactive DNA fingerprinting of genotypes [21]. However, problems with the reproducibility in amplification of RAPD markers and with data scoring have been reported [22]. Although major bands from RAPD reaction are highly reproducible, minor bands can be difficult to repeat due to the random priming nature of this PCR reaction and potential confounding effects associated with co-migration with other markers [14,23] used (5) RAPD primers to fingerprint and detect the relationships among (17) sorghum cultivars, (11) Egyptian cultivars and (6) Yemenian cultivars. They reported that total number of (34) polymorphic bands with a level of (94%) polymorphism succeeded to discriminate the sorghum cultivars [25]. Assayed (51) RAPD primers to determine the genetic distance among (8) Egyptian sweet sorghum cultivars. They found that (49) primers generated total number of (314) bands, which were not necessarily present in each cultivar. (206) bands were found to be polymorphic and (108) bands were common in all of the eight cultivars. The dendrogram tree generated across the (49) primers divided the (8) cultivars into four clusters. The data showed different levels of variation among these cultivars.

The SSR Technique
Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) or microsatellites [26] generates a large number of restriction fragments (bands) facilitating the detection of polymorphism which is based on the number of repeat units in a defined region of the genome under investigation Table 3. SSRs are ubiquitous in eukaryotes. The number and composition of microsatellite repeats differ in plants and animals. The frequency of repeats longer than (20 bp.) has been estimated to occur every (33) kb in plants unlike mammals where it is found to occur every (6 kb.) [27]. In human, (AC) or (TC) are very common repeat units, but in plants AT is more common followed by AG or TC [28]. In general, plants have (10) times less SSRs than human [29]. Noted that the common SSRs in sorghum are: AG, AC, AAC and AAG. SSR markers are attractive for DNA fingerprinting studies for several reasons. They are co-dominant and highly informative, occur in high frequency and appear to be distributed throughout the genomes of most if not all of the higher plants and animals. SSRs generally, display high levels of polymorphism even among closely related accessions [30] and amenable to automated genotyping strategies. They also can be amplified by inexpensive PCR assays. Radioisotopes are not required in the detection of SSR markers because sequence polymorphism can usually be detected by separation. Most of Sorghum bicolor L. SSR loci showed a high level of polymorphism.

Preparation of Plant Materials
Seeds of (7) sweet sorghum (Ankolib) accessions, namely, Black Ankolib Figure 1, Black White Ankolib Figure 2, Dark Red Ankolib Figure 3, Red Yellow Ankolib Figure 4, White Ankolib Figure 5, White Black Ankolib Figure 6 and Bengaga Figure 7, were collected by the author from three different sites in Sudan. Names of accessions, sites of collection, glume color and seed color have been shown in Table 1. Similarly, the glume colors for the accessions have been indicated. The seed color of the accession Bengaga is illustrated.

Seed germination
Seeds of each accession were germinated in pots in the lab and left to grow for a week.

DNA Extraction
It is based on the hexa-decyltri-methylamonium bromide (CTAB) method to isolate DNA from tissues containing high levels of polysaccharides and secondary metabolites affecting DNA purification. This modified CTAB (2%) protocol includes the use of 1.4 M NaCL, (0.03%) β-mercaptoethanol, 50 µl sodium acetate and 1ml absolute ethanol for DNA extraction and purification as well as reducing the centrifugation times during the separation and precipitation of the DNA. The tubes were centrifuged at (10000 rpm for 15 min.) to precipitate DNA pellets. The solution in each tube was carefully poured off and the DNA pellets were washed again with (70%) ethanol and centrifuged at (10000 rpm for 2 min.) The solution was poured off and the pellets were air-dried. (200 µl) TE buffer or D.D.W. was added and the tubes were left at room temperature for (30 min.) to dissolve the DNA pellets and were then kept at (20˚C.) DNA purity was determined by a UV-VIS spectrophotometer at wave length of (260 nm). The purity was then calculated as the ratio of absorbance at (260 nm to 280 nm.).

DNA Purification
Pure DNA was obtained according to the following procedure: 2 µl RNase were added to each eppendorf tube and the tubes were transferred to eppendorf thermomixer 5436 (37˚C) for (60 min.) 50 µl sodium acetate and 1 ml absolute ethanol were added to each tube and tubes were gently inverted and left for (10 min.) and left in refrigerater.

PCR Reaction
The PCR reaction comprises three steps: denaturation, annealing and extension. The procedure adopted with some modifications.

RAPD-PCR Technique
A program was set up and entered in the PCR apparatus to carry out the above mentioned steps using RAPD primers for (40) cycles as follows: denaturation at (94˚C) for (5) min., annealing at (36˚C) to amplify DNA for (45 sec/cycle) and finally extension at (72˚C for 1.5 min.). Another cycle of extension was conducted at (72˚C) for (7 min.) Table 3.

Preparation of Samples for RAPD-PCR Reaction
The

SSR -PCR Technique
Two programs were adopted here: a-"Touchdown-PCR" adopted from Senior and with minor modifications. SSR primers for this program have been shown in table 3. 5 SSR primers were screened for amplification of a specific product from sweet sorghum genomic DNA using a (65˚C) -(55˚C) "touchdown-PCR" technique: denaturation at (94˚C) for (5) min, annealing for (40) cycles, the annealing temperature for the initial (10) cycles was decreased by one degree every cycle from (65˚C to 55˚C), followed by 30 cycles at (55˚C) and extension at (72˚C for 1.5 min.) followed by one more cycle of extension for (7 min) Table 3.

b-
This program was performed for each pair of the SSR primers presented in table (4) according to the annealing temperature of each primer. Sample according to the SSR primers used in the study. The tubes were placed in the PCR machine and the program was run. The PCR products were kept at (-20˚C).

Preparation of Samples for Running
(5µl) simple dye (loading dye) were added to each PCR product. Two markers were used to detected polymorphism among PCR products. Lambda X174 RF Hae III marker was used for RAPD-PCR products to determine molecular weight of bands run in (1.5%) agarose (gel. 100bp).
The gels were examined under UV light and were then photographed using a Polaroid Camera and Gel Doc.

Data Analysis
The banding patterns generated by Basic-PCR markers RAPD and SSRs were compared to determine the genetic relatedness of the 97) sweet sorghum (Ankolib) accessions. Clear and distinct amplification products were scored as (1) for presence and (0) for absence of bands. Bands of the same mobility were scored as identical. The Genetic Similarity Coefficient (GS) between any two genotypes was estimated according to Dice Coefficient as follows:

Dice formula: GSij = 2a / (2a+b+c)
Where GSij = the measure of genetic similarity between two individuals i and j. a = the number of bands shared by i and j. b = the number of bands present in i and absent in j. c = the number of bands present in j and absent in i. Unweighted Pair Group Method using Arithmetic Average (UPGMA) was used for cluster analysis according to. In this method each accession represents an independent cluster and that distance between clusters were estimated by the Dice Coefficient. However, once several accessions have been linked together, the distance between two clusters is calculated as the average distance between all pairs of accessions in the two different clusters Figure 8.

Polymorphism Detected by SSR Markers:
The sixteen SSR primer pairs used in this study had successfully generated a total number of 81 bands. One pair (ZM-GPCI) generated only one monomorphic band. The total number of monomorphic fragments detected by the other (15) SSR primer pairs was (19) ranging from (1) to (3) bands per primer. The total number of polymorphic bands was (62) ranging from (2) to (10) fragments per primer. This represented a level of polymorphism of (76%) and an average of (3.9) fragments per primer. The size of the amplified fragment also varied with the type of primer and it ranged from (50 bp. to 1,100 bp.) ( Table 4).

Identification of Accessions Using Unique Markers
Unique markers are defined as bands that specifically identify an accession from another by their presence or absence. The bands that are present in one accession but not found in other accessions are termed positive unique markers (PUM), in contrast to the negative unique markers (NUM), which are absent in a specific genotype. These bands are useful for cultivar identification and fingerprinting.

Accessions identification by unique RAPD markers
In this study, the RAPD technique was successful in characterizing all of the (7) tested (Ankolib) accessions by unique positive and/ or negative markers. These markers ranged in size from (275 bp to 3,000 bp.). A total number of (67) unique markers were identified by the (22)    C-02 and OP-G-02) showed only one negative unique marker. The accession Bengaga showed the highest number (27) of the unique markers from which 14 were positive and 13 were negative. This number (27) was obtained from (14) different RAPD primers.

Genetic Relationships Among The (7) Sweet Sorghum Ankolib Accessions as Revealed by RAPD Markers:
To examine the genetic relationships among the study samples based on RAPD results, the scored data were analyzed using the Dice Coefficient to compute the genetic similarity matrices. These similarity matrices were then used to generate a dendrogram using the UPGMA method. The estimated genetic similarity matrices among the accessions ranged from (73.7 to 89.5) thus revealing high levels of genetic similarity among the studied accessions. The highest genetic similarity percentage (90%) is between the accessions: Black Ankolib and Black White Ankolib followed by 89% between the accessions Black Ankolib and Dark Red Ankolib Figure 11.

Genetic Relationships among (7) Sweet Sorghum Ankolib Accessions as Revealed by SSR Markers
The scored data obtained from (16) SSR primer pairs was used to determine the genetic similarities among (7) Table 2.

Cluster Analysis of the Data Revealed by DNA Markers
Matrices of genetic similarities between pairs of individuals may be used as a starting point for statistical analysis of cluster. In a cluster, relatively homogenous groups of individuals cluster together in a hierarchical way and this clustering is visually displayed in a dendrogram.

Cluster Analysis of the Data Revealed by RAPD Markers:
The UPGMA cluster analysis was carried out to provide graphical presentation (dendrogram) for the genetic distances among (7) Sweet Sorghum Ankolib accessions. The dendrogram was composed of two clusters. The first cluster included only the accession Bengaga while the second cluster comprised the other (6) remaining accessions. The second cluster included two sub clusters: the first one comprised the accession Red Yellow Ankolib alone whereas the second one was subdivided into two groups. One group contained the accession White Black Ankolib, whereas the other one was divided into two subgroups. The first subgroup contained the Dark Red Ankolib and the White Ankolib, while the other subgroup contained the Black White Ankolib and the Black Ankolib.

Cluster Analysis of the Data Revealed by Combined RAPD-SSR Markers
UPGMA cluster analysis was carried out to provide graphical presentation (dendrogram) for the genetic distances among (7) sweet sorghum Ankolib accessions using the combined data from both markers RAPD and SSR is. The dendrogram showed two clusters: the first cluster included the accession Bengaga alone. The second cluster included two sub clusters: the first one comprised the accession Red Yellow Ankolib alone and the second one had two groups. One group comprised the accession White Ankolib, whereas the other one was divided into two subgroups.

Discussion
Traditionally, genetic resources in sorghum are classified by taxonomists based on morphological traits governed by a relatively  small number of genes. On the other hand, important traits, which are related to habitat adaptation and exhibit enormous variability among sorghum germ plasma, are complex and quantitatively inherited [14].
Molecular genetic identification has become a routine tool in the field of Plant Taxonomy. DNA based fingerprinting technologies have been proven a useful tool in genetic similarity and genetic relationship studies. The recently developed PCR based marker techniques, which include RAPD and SSRs are playing an increasingly important role in this type of investigation. In this study, RAPD and SSRs techniques were applied to assess three parameters: the first parameter is the assessment of the level of polymorphisms among seven sweet sorghum Ankolib Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Accessions collected from three sites in Sudan namely (Sinnar, Gadarif and Neyala). The second parameter is the identification of unique markers and generating a DNA fingerprint for each accession. The third parameter is the estimation of the genetic relationships among the genotypes.
From the results it was found that, each of the two DNAbased markers, RAPD and SSRs, succeeded in detecting a level of polymorphism of (58%) and (76%) respectively. loci are sufficiently polymorphic and indicated that the level of polymorphism at some loci was high enough to allow the vast majority of S. bicolor accessions to be distinguished from one another. This is particularly useful in determining the genotypes at small number of loci, perhaps as few as half a dozen. This finding is also confirmed by a number of studies [29]; [30]. The increased resolution of acrylamide gel over agarose gel could enhance the separation and detection of a larger number of alleles per locus than agarose gel. This may be particularly important for SSR loci containing dinucleotide repeats, since PCR products differing by two base pairs cannot be resolved by agarose gels alone. That is why in the present study, we re-electrophoressed all the SSR-PCR products using 8% acrylamide gels to get more precise estimation of bands.
All of the (7) Ankolib accessions were fingerprinted and uniquely identified by the (22) RAPD primers, which produced a total number of (234) bands of which (138) bands were found to be polymorphic. The (22) RAPD primers gave a number of unique positive and /or negative fingerprints. [15] used (40) RAPD primers of which also (22) primers detected unique positive and/or negative fingerprints. These fingerprints were used in the identification of (15) maize inbred lines. Similarly, a total number of (314) band was reported by [25] of which (206) were found to be polymorphic. They managed to discriminate 8 Egyptian sweet sorghum cultivars using the (206) polymorphic bands. The (16) SSR primers used in this study, only (11) could generate unique positive and/or negative markers. Nevertheless, the banding profiles obtained by the different types of primers yielded unique fingerprints, which are characteristic for each accession. The highest number of unique markers was reported for the accession Bengaga using RAPD and SSR markers. It was observed in this study that the accession Bengaga was the only accession, which provides grains that could produce flour besides its succulent sweet stem.
The genetic relationships among the (7) sweet sorghum Ankolib accessions were estimated in terms of genetic similarity matrix using the Dice Coefficient. The ranges of the genetic similarity matrices were (73.7 to 89.5, 66.7 to 85.2 and 72.8 to 86.7) for RAPD, SSRs and RAPD-SSRs combined data respectively. These ranges reveal a high level of genetic similarity among the studied accessions thus indicating a high degree of homology.
The highest genetic similarity matrix (89.5) was recorded between accessions Black Ankolib and Black White Ankolib, indicating that these two accessions were closely related to each other. However, the accession Bengaga and Red Yellow Ankolib showed a relatively lower value of genetic similarity matrix (73.7). This finding agrees with that of [25] who assessed the genetic diversity among 8 Egyptian sweet sorghum using RAPD markers. The SSR analysis revealed that the highest genetic similarity matrix (85. Cluster analysis of the data obtained by RAPD and SSRs and RAPD-SSRs combined data, revealed that the accession Bengaga was a unique cluster as compared to the other (6) (Ankolib) accessions whose seeds were usually smaller than Bengaga and too bitter to be used as flour.
The results obtained from the RAPD technique indicated that the two accessions Black Ankolib and Black White Ankolib lay in the same subgroup. The RAPD-SSRs combined data revealed that the two accessions belonged to the same division. This reflects the close genetic relationship between the two accessions, a finding that matches with the geographical origin (Sinnar Locality) of the accessions. The dendrogram of SSR analysis revealed that the accessions White Ankolib (Neyala) and Red Yellow Ankolib (Gadarif) belonged to the same sub cluster. Similarly, the two accessions White Black Ankolib (Gadarif) and Black White Ankolib (Sinnar) were found to belong to the same subgroup.

Conclusions and recommendations:
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that DNA-based markers are useful tools for identification, fingerprinting and assessment of genetic relationships of sweet sorghum. This study can be summarized as follows: • The (7) sweet sorghum Ankolib [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench.] accessions were successfully characterized and uniquely fingerprinted by two DNA-based markers (RAPD and SSRs). • The accession Bengaga was found to be the most distinct one among all of the (7) accessions in this study. • There was a close genetic relationship among the other (6) accessions.