Polymorphism of 13 microsatellite loci in 61 chickpea varieties was studied. The 47 alleles were detected. Three loci were monomorphic, the other ones showed polymorphism. Genetic diversity of chickpea varieties in all loci was 0,41 according to Nei polymorphism index (D). It was concluded that chickpea varieties from Europe had insignificant microsatellite loci diversity. The most polymorphic group was chickpea varieties from Russia (D = 0,38), the least polymorphic – Spanish varieties (D = 0,25). Consensus tree representing the most credible divergence of Europe chickpea varieties was constructed. The possible causes of clustering chickpea varieties in a common cluster are discussed.
Keywords: Cicer arietinum L., microsatellite, polymorphic index, genetic diversity, divergence varieties
