The use of different genetic dissimilarity indicators can help in both the selection of crop improvement strategies and as artificial crosses. The objectives of this work were to estimate the genetic dissimilarity among seven oat genotypes (Avena sativa L.) through molecular (dg) and morphological (dm) markers. Data were obtained from two experiments carried out in Capão do Leão County, RS, Brazil, in 2000. The estimated correlation coefficient (r = 0.33) indicated a low association between dg and dm estimates. The genotypes with similar pedigrees (UPF 16 and UPF 17), with a bootstrapping value of 82.7%, performed the most consistent group (dg) and clustered more closely in both techniques (dg and dm). However, genotypes with similar pedigree clustered in distant groups. Both dissimilarity estimates need to be used in order to obtain a more reliable choice of dissimilar parents, with higher probability of developing promising base populations.
Choice of parents; genetic dissimilarity; genetic variability
