Utilization of inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers in distinguishing parental lines and hybrids in selected crop plants

Current seed testing and certification methods for seed quality are based on field evaluation procedures, which are time consuming. DNA based molecular markers could provide a much faster and reliable alternative to grow out test (GOT), which is currently used for genetic purity testing. In the present study inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to identify the A, Band R-lines of rice, bajra, jowar, sunflower and their hybrids. Of the 16 primers tested, 10 showed amplification among all the samples tested. Different primers differentiated A, B, and R lines and hybrids. The analysis showed that the markers selected for identifying the A and R lines could detect polymorphism irrespective of the male or female parent. Six primers (UBC 807, 810, 827, 834, 841 and 842) showed male parent, i.e. R line specific bands which are highly useful in determining the true/selfed seeds. Markers specific for A, and R-lines were identified in the study. Two primers (UBC 807 and UBC 811), and three primers (UBC 807, UBC 811, UBC 827) detected polymorphism between A and B-line of jowar and sunflower respectively. ISSR assay was thus found as an efficient method for detecting DNA polymorphism in parental lines of hybrids.