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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #393675
Research Project: New Molecular and Genetic Tools to Select Trees and Plants Better Adapted to Changing Environmental Conditions in the Southeastern United States

Location: Southern Horticultural Research Unit

Title: Molecular Markers for Ornamental Cultivars of Weigela

Author
item HAMM, TRINITY - University Of Tennessee
item BOGGESS, SARAH - University Of Tennessee
item Sthapit Kandel, Jinita
item STATON, MARGARET - University Of Tennessee
item HUFF, MATTHEW - University Of Tennessee
item HADZIABDIC, DENITA - University Of Tennessee
item SHOEMAKER, DEWAYNE - University Of Tennessee
item Adamczyk, John
item NOWICK, MARCIN - University Of Tennessee
item TRIGIANO, ROBERT - University Of Tennessee

Submitted to: ASHS Centennial Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2022
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Weigela (Caprifoliaceae) is a popular ornamental genus that includes approximately 10 species, all of which are native to East Asia. Two species have mainly been hybridized to produce the currently available cultivars, but four other species have also been used to a lesser extent. Despite limited genetic resources, Weigela generated $14.26 million in wholesale and retail sales in the United States in 2019. From low coverage whole-genome sequencing of Weigela ‘Bokraspiwi' Spilled Wine®, 20 genomic simple sequence repeat (gSSR) markers were developed and characterized across a collection of 18 Weigela cultivars. The gSSR markers identified 111 alleles including 36 private alleles in the collection of cultivars. A diagrammatic key was constructed to identify cultivars using only six of the gSSR markers. The gSSR markers presented in this study are well-dispersed throughout the genome and able to detect genetic variability. Therefore, these markers are immediately useful for cultivar identification. Future use could include determining the history of hybridization that led to current cultivated lines and better understanding population genetic structure of Weigela spp. in its native range.