SSR Markers in the Genetic Relationship Studies of Turkish Durum Wheat Varieties

Abstract

DNA markers are the essential tools for differentiating genotypic characters of varieties and cultivars. Microsatellite or Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers are PCR-based molecular markers. SSRs are the type of markers that can be used most efficiently for DNA fingerprinting due to their reproducible and high level of polymorphic features. The variations in the number of nucleotide repeats, SSR length polymorphism, were detected by separating (alpha P-32)-dATP labeled PCR products obtained with locus specific primer pairs on the DNA denaturing gels. The durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) varieties of Anatolia used in this study were differentiated using microsatellite markers. The genotypes were all distinguished from each other, with the average PIC value of 0.756 +/-0.082. In addition, an enriched library in terms of a dinucleotide repeat type SSR is in progress for the development of new SSR markers.