ARS | Publication request: Seventy microsatellite markers from Persea americana Miller (avocado) expressed sequence tags

Submitted to: Molecular Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 21, 2006
Publication Date: May 1, 2007
Citation: Borrone, J.W., Schnell II, R.J., Violi, H.A., Ploetz, R. 2007. Seventy microsatellite markers from Persea americana Miller (avocado) expressed sequence tags. Molecular Ecology.7:439-444.

Interpretive Summary: Seventy DNA markers, microsatellites, have been developed from publicly available DNA sequences isolated from P. americana (avocado). The number of alleles for each marker ranged from two to seventeen and averaged 7.1 alleles per marker. These markers are informative across different varieties of avodaco as well as a closely related species. These markers will be useful for characterizing the genetic diversity of the germplasm collection, determining the genetic relatedness of cultivars, and assist in developing root rot tolerant avocado accessions.

Technical Abstract: Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for Persea americana Mill. were investigated to expand upon the number of informative microsatellite markers available for avocado. Seventy informative loci were discovered using twenty-four P. americana var. americana Mill. accessions. The number of alleles detected ranged from two to seventeen and averaged 7.1 alleles per locus. These primers successfully amplified products in different varieties of P. americana, hybrids, and a related species, P. schiedeana. These primers will be useful for characterizing germplasm, determining genetic relationships of cultivated accessions, and for marker assisted development of root rot tolerant P americana var. americana rootstock material.