Potential application of simple easy-to-use insertion-deletion (InDel) markers in citrus cultivar identification

Abstract

We previously developed insertion-deletion (InDel) markers that distinguish three genotypes (two homo-zygous and one heterozygous) of diverse citrus cultivars. These InDel markers were codominant and could be clearly detected by using simple agarose gel electrophoresis. We sought to establish a method for culti-var identification using these 28 InDel markers to genotype 31 citrus cultivars. The results revealed that a minimum of 6 markers were required to identify individuals using the three-genotype classification method. Furthermore, we found that a simple method for distinguishing between two genotypes (homozygous and heterozygous) could be used to identify individuals using a minimum of 7 markers. Our findings provide a basis for the development of simple and rapid citrus cultivar identification methods.