Genome specific primers: A tool for genetic profiling of potato species

Genome sequencing of the Solanum phureja (a diploid species of potato) has provided new insights to understand the complete genome functioning of the Solanum species. The present study was conducted to understand the genetic relatedness among different potato species. A set of twenty genotypes, including wild and cultivated, possessing agonomically important traits were analyzed for genetic diversity using the genome specific markers. Twenty randomly selected BAC end sequences were used for primer designing and screening. Expectedly, the commercial potato cultivars along with their progenitors used in the present study were clustered. The wild species viz., S. albicans, S. sleumeri and S. demissum clustered separately in the dendrogram indicating that these are genetically unrelated with the rest of the species. Result of the principal component analysis (PCA) was consistent with the clustering pattern of the dendrogram. The generation of the genetic profiling of the potato species using the genome specific markers will help in documentation of ownership and protection of intellectual property rights along with the presently used RAPD, AFLP and SSR profiles.