Description

Abstract: Cultivated peanut or groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important source for oil and protein. The extensive polymorphism of microsatellite markers makes them an ideal choice for studies in population genetics, diversity analysis, and linkage mapping and marker development. The widespread application of microsatellite markers is limited by the requirement for species-specific primers. Development of novel microsatellites remains a costly and lengthy process despite continuous improvements in its efficiency. Transfer of primers across genera (cross-taxa application) offers an alternative to de novo development in plants, with transfer rates ranging from 35-90% and potential polymorphism rates between 58 and 78%. There are few studies that have used cross-transferred microsatellite loci to address questions related to plant populations. In the present study we explore a large number of microsatellites available in common bean to examine their transferability and validity. The results reveal that cross-taxa microsatellite primers amplified PCR products in peanut, and that some of the amplified bands contained microsatellite repeats in them.