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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Washington, D.C. » National Arboretum » Floral and Nursery Plants Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #334765
Title: Simple sequence repeat markers for interspecific hybrid detections in Agrostis

Author
item Warnke, Scott
item THAMMINA, CHANDRA - Rutgers University
item AMUNDSEN, KEENAN - University Of Nebraska
item Miljanic, Philip

Submitted to: International Turfgrass Society Research Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2017
Publication Date: 11/19/2017
Citation: Warnke, S.E., Thammina, C., Amundsen, K., Miljanic, P.R. 2017. Simple sequence repeat markers for interspecific hybrid detections in Agrostis. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 13:466-470.

Interpretive Summary: Creeping and colonial bentgrass are two important turfgrass species widely utilized on golf courses throughout the world. Hybrids between them would be desirable for plant improvement purposes, as both species exhibit desirable characteristics. Methods of identifying hybrids are needed that can be efficiently and quickly applied in a plant improvement program. ARS scientists developed molecular techniques that can be used for rapid, low cost detection of hybrids between the species. These techniques will be useful for breeders to develop disease resistant varieties of bentgrass for golf course and other applications.

Technical Abstract: Agrostis stolonifera L. (creeping bentgrass) and Agrostis capillaris (colonial bentgrass) are turfgrass species that are well adapted for golf course use in regions of the world where cool-season grasses are grown. Interspecific hybrids between the species do form and have the potential to incorporate some of the beneficial characteristics of both species. A. stolonifera has excellent quality at low mowing heights and recovers well from damage. A. capillaris tends to exhibit more drought tolerance and a higher level of resistance to the common fungal pathogen Sclerotinia homoeocarpa. Fast inexpensive methods of hybrid detection could enhance interspecific hybrid bentgrass development. Ninty-six Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) primer pairs developed through Roche 454 sequencing of A. stolonifera and A. capillaris genomic DNA were tested for their suitability for hybrid bentgrass detection. Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by High Resolution Melt Analysis (HRM) along with FTA-card DNA extractions were tested for potential to speed up analysis and lower costs. Several SSR primer pairs were identified that could be utilized for hybrid bentgrass detection. Additionally, FTA-card DNA extraction followed by HRM analysis showed considerable potential to speed up analysis and lower costs.