Development of microsatellite markers for Qualeagrandiflora (Vochysiaceae), a typical species of the Brazilian cerrado

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed to investigate genetic diversity and population structure of Qualea grandiflora, a typical species of the Brazilian cerrado.

• Methods and Results: Eight microsatellite loci were isolated using an enrichment cloning protocol. These loci were tested on a population of 110 individuals of Q. grandiflora collected from a cerrado fragment in São Paulo State, Brazil. The loci polymorphism ranges from seven to 19 alleles and the average heterozygosity value is 0.568, while the average polymorphic information content is 0.799.

• Conclusions: The developed markers were found to be highly polymorphic, indicating their applicability to studies of population genetic diversity in Q. grandiflora.

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Hebanthe eriantha (Amaranthaceae)

• Premise of the study: Hebanthe eriantha (Amaranthaceae) is extensively collected and used in folk medicine. Microsatellite markers were developed and characterized to investigate the genetic structure and diversity of germplasm collections of this species.

• Methods and Results: Eleven highly polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed. The number of alleles observed for each locus ranged from two to eight. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.000 to 0.808 and 0.455 to 0.851, respectively.

• Conclusions: These results show the utility of microsatellite loci for studies of population genetics in H. eriantha, which are important for the future conservation and cultivation of this medicinal species.

American Journal of Botany (2011)


98 (10), e282-e283

GM Figueira, MM Bajay, CMS Silva, MI Zucchi, M Monteiro, MVN Rodrigues

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for genetic studies of Alabama argillacea (Hüeb.) (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae): an important cotton pest in Brazil

Genetically modified cotton expressing Cry1Ac toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) has been planted in Brazil since 2006. Among target pests, the cotton leafworm, Alabama argillacea offers high potential risk of resistance evolution to Bt toxin because it is a monophagous insect. The objective of this research was to develop microsatellite markers to study genetic variability and population structure of the cotton leafworm in Brazil. Ten polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized in 20 individuals from natural populations. The number of alleles per loci ranged from 2 to 11 (3.82 on average) and the observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.000 to 0.630. Depart from Hardy-Weinberg proportion was detected only in locus Aar06. No gametic disequilibrium was observed among 10 loci. The study of genetic variability, population structure and gene flow by using the microsatellite markers developed here will be important for a pro-active management of A. argillacea resistance to Bt cotton.

Molecular Ecology Resources (2011)


Volume 11, Issue 1, pages 219–222

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for castor (Ricinus communis L.), an important oleaginous species for biodiesel production

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is an important oleaginous plant from both economic and social points of view. The seeds contain an oil with excellent properties for industrial uses. This paper presents the main results of a study aiming to develop microsatellite markers for castor. Twelve new polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized in 38 genotypes accessions from the castor germplasm of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Company (EMBRAPA). Knowledge on the genetic diversity of castor can be used to gain a better understanding on genetic diversity conservation, and germplasm management, guiding breeding programs and conservation strategies.

A new set of microsatellite markers for the genetic characterization of Ceratocystis fimbriata, an economically important plant pathogen

Ceratocystis fimbriata is a fungal pathogen which attacks several economically important plants, but occurs in host-associated, morphologically indistinguishable forms. In Brazil, this fungus seriously attacks mango trees (Mangifera indica), causing severe loss of yield. This work aimed to develop and characterize a novel set of microsatellite markers for this important pathogen, providing researchers with new molecular tools for the characterization of isolates. Twenty polymorphic primer pairs were designed from a microsatellite-enriched library. We tested the usefulness of these markers through genotyping thirteen isolates of the fungus. On average, 6.65 alleles per locus were detected, revealing the ability of this set of markers to characterize C. fimbriata isolates associated to mango and to other plant species.

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Curcuma longa L. is a sterile, triploid, vegetatively-propagated crop cultivated mainly in Southeast Asia. When dried rhizomes are ground, the resulting yellow powder is used by the food industry as a natural food dye. Moreover, many pharmacological compounds have broadened the commercial application of the crop. However, conventional breeding is difficult and hence, improvement has been limited to germplasm selection. To better utilize the germplasm collections and facilitate genotype selection, a total of 17 polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed using a CT/GT/CTT enriched genomic library. All microsatellites resulted in amplified PCR products, showing a banding pattern of 2–11 polymorphic bands per locus, enabling genotype discrimination. These results can be used in further studies aimed at characterizing C. longa genetic resource collections and also to improve breeding strategies.

M. S. Sigrist, J. B. Pinheiro, J. A. Azevedo-Filho, C. A. Colombo, M. M. Bajay, P. F. Lima, F. R. Camilo, S. Sandhu, A. P. Souza, M. I. Zucchi

Genetic Diversity among Brazilian Soybean Cultivars Based. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology

In this study, simple sequence repeats (SSR) loci and pedigree data were used to investigate the genetic relationship in a group of 168 Brazilian soybean cultivars. Eighteen SSR loci produced an average of 5.06 alleles and a mean gene diversity of 0.58 for the cultivars studied. Genetic distance (GD) was determined using the modified Roger's Wright distance, and a final dendrogram was in agreement with the cultivar pedigree. A distance matrix based on the coefficient of parentage scores was also generated for the cultivars, which ranged from 0 to 1, with a mean of 0.18, whereas SSR-based genetic similarity (1- GD) ranged from 0.01 to 0.90, with a mean of 0.25. Mantel's Z test showed that the similarity matrices generated from both the data sets were low, but significantly correlated (r = 0.31, p<0.001). The results showed that SSR data and pedigree analyses could help to quantify more accurately the degree of relationship among the soybean cultivars.

Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology (2010)
Volume.53, Number.3, doi: 10.1590/S1516-89132010000300004

Regina Helena Geribello Priolli, José Baldin Pinheiro, Maria Imaculada Zucchi, Miklos Maximiliano Bajay, Natal Antonio Vello