Abstract
SSRs (simple sequence repeats, also called as microsatellites) are one of the highly informative DNA markers essential for genetic studies both in animal and plant species, i.e., estimation of genetic diversity, parentage analysis, and the construction of genetic linkage maps. SSRs offer several advantages over other molecular markers, which provide a reliable method for genetic analyses, such as their codominant inheritance, high degree of polymorphism, large number of genotypes (alleles) per locus, abundance in genomes, and suitability for automation. Fifteen SSR loci were developed in Japanese chestnut (Castanea crenata Sieb et Zucc.) using an enriched genomic library for (AG) / (TC). The SSR loci obtained produced 1–16 alleles per locus and showed 0.47 of average values of the observed heterozygosity, 0.50 of the expected heterozygosity, and 0.62 of the power of discrimination. Genetic relationship was evaluated for 30 Japanese chestnut varieties using 14 polymorphic SSR loci, and the result showed no distinct differences on allele composition between Japanese and Korean origins as well as between cultivated and wild natures. SSR loci developed in the Japanese chestnut could be successfully transferable to other Castanea species.
