ISSR markers for genetic diversity analysis in spices - An appraisal

Abstract

Inter-simple sequence repeat (IISR) is a multilocus DNA marker increasingly being used for DNA typing of plants. Three non-anchored primers were tested for assessing the suitability of its use in genetic diversity analysis of spices germplasm. Optimum annealing temperature for different primers varied from 42 to 63°C depending on the base sequences of the primers.All the primers were successfully used in amplifying inter-microsatellite regions of small cardamom, large cardamom, different species of vanilla and Pipe. Band profiles obtained with ISSR primers were found to be highly polymorphic and reproducible. The ISSR primer (GACA)4 yielded reproducible and consistent DNA banding pattern in Piper and was found to be useful in distinguishing the seven species selected for the study. It is suggested that ISSR markers, in addition to being simple and time efficient, allow rapid identification of polymorphisms within spices germplasm