Isolation and characterization of 19 new microsatellite loci in Colocasia esculenta (Araceae)

Abstract

Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for taro (Colocasia esculenta) to investigate its population genetics and evolutionary history through germplasm improvement.Methods and Results: Nineteen microsatellite loci were identified in three populations. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to seven, with a mean of 4.68. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.231 to 0.820 and from 0.126 to 0.742, respectively.Conclusions: These new genetic markers will be useful for the study of taro germplasm management and population evolution in southwestern China. © 2011 Botanical Society of America.