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Title: GENIC MICROSATELLITE MARKERS DERIVED FROM EST SEQUENCES OF SWITCHGRASS (PANICUM VIRGATUM L.)

Author
item Tobias, Christian
item Hayden, Daniel
item TWIGG, P - UNIV OF NEBRASKA
item SARATH, G - UNIV OF NEBRASKA

Submitted to: Molecular Ecology Notes
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/12/2005
Publication Date: 2/15/2006
Citation: Tobias, C.M., Hayden, D.M., Twigg, P., Sarath, G. 2006. Genic microsatellite markers derived from EST sequences of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). 6:185-187. Molecular Ecology Notes.

Interpretive Summary: As part of an ongoing effort to improve switchgrass as an energy crop, breeding tools are being developed. These tools, such as the markers desribed in this paper, will be associated with specific genome locations and can then be employed to track the inheritance of beneficial gene combinations.

Technical Abstract: Switchgrass is a large, North American, perennial grass that is being evaluated as a potential energy crop. There is a need to assess genetic diversity in stored accessions and in remaining native stands to assist breeding and conservation efforts. Further marker development will also be necessary for linkage mapping. Toward this end, thiry﷓two switchgrass genic di﷓ tri﷓ and tetranucleotide repeat microsatellites were identified from EST﷓sequences. These microsatellites were used to screen individuals from two different named cultivars. The markers displayed a high level of polymorphism consistent with the tetraploid, allogamous behavior of the cultivars tested.