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Title: CROSS-SPECIES MICROSATELLITE PRIMERS FOR TEXAS BLUEGRASS AND ITS INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDS

Author
item Kindiger, Bryan

Submitted to: American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2004
Publication Date: 7/25/2004
Citation: Kindiger, B.K. 2004. Cross-species microsatellite primers for Texas bluegrass and its interspecific hybrids [abstract]. American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting. Abstract No. 870.

Interpretive Summary: The value of molecular markers to enhance traditional breeding programs has been well documented. However, the development of highly informative marker systems can be an expensive endeavor. Expenses can be reduced if molecular markers developed in one species can cross-amplify and be informative in a second species. This research evaluated the effectiveness of utilizing molecular markers developed for the cool-season grass species of annual and perennial ryegrass, cheatgrass and sterile bromegrass and their application in evaluating Texas bluegrass and various bluegrass hybrids. The study concluded that 15% of the markers developed from ryegrass, cheatgrass and sterile bromegrass were informative and were capable of detecting genetic variation in Texas bluegrass. Cross-species utilization of molecular markers developed for one species will have value for molecular marker assisted selection studies of Texas bluegrass and its hybrids. The evaluation of these markers on a set of bluegrass plants having a reduced chromosome number suggests that this approach may enhance genetic studies and the characterization of informative molecular markers.

Technical Abstract: PCR-based DNA markers are valuable to plant breeders for genetic mapping, trait introgression studies and the evaluation of varietal purity. Simple sequence repeats are a class of genetic markers that have proven to be useful in many plant species; however the expense associated with their development limits their use and application in many laboratories. SSR markers were obtained from Lolium multiflorum, Lolium perenne, Bromus tectorum and Anisantha sterilis and were evaluated for Texas bluegrass (Poa arachnifera) and a Poa interspecific hybrid breeding and selection program. Results suggest that microsatellite primers generated in other taxa can be utilized as informative markers in Poa. Touchdown PCR also proved universally superior in reducing mispriming events and dimer-primer products. In total, 15% of all primer pairs utilized in the analysis were informative and useful in identifying polymorphisms among P. arachnifera and its interspecific hybrids with P. secunda. The generation of androgenic haploids allowed for more efficient evaluation of markers and germplasm characterization