Abstract

Limitations of molecular markers concerning their predictive and diagnostic values have delayed the benefits of molecular markers technology in genetic differentiation of pigeonpea cultivars. In order to evaluate the robustness of marker systems and detection of genetic polymorphism, 77 simple sequence repeats (SSR) were used to genetically differentiate and screen two pigeonpea cultivars for resistance or susceptibility to Fusarium wilt. Out of 77 microsatellites, 67 primers amplified a sum total of 568 amplicons with an average number of 8.47 amplicons per primer. Twenty-six primers produced 46 polymorphic loci suitable for differentiating the two pigeonpea cultivars. The polymorphic information content scores of SSR markers ranged from 0.077 to 0.333 with an average of 0.18 per marker. However, the number of polymorphic allele produced with the SSR primers ranged from 1 to 4. The results of present study illustrate potential SSR markers that distinguish the cultivars with respect to wilt resistance. The information may facilitate selection of cultivars to serve as parent in effective breeding programmes for crop improvement.