Transferability of Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers Developed in Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) to Some Trifolium Species

Microsatellite markers previously developed for red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) were used in cross-amplification tests of eight other Trifolium species. Of the 20 SSR loci tested, 9 (47.37 %) had positive results and were found to be transferable to all eight species examined. The number of alleles detected at each locus ranged from 4 to 12, with an average of 7.2 in T. tumens Steven ex M. Bieb., 5.8 in T. resupinatum L., 5.1 in T. fragiferum L., 4.5 in T. tomentosum L., 3.4 in T. bullatum Boiss. & Hausskn. ex Boiss., 3.2 in T. clusii Godr. & Gren., 2.7 in T. spumosum L. and 2.1 in T. physodes Stev. ex M. B. This study has shown that SSR markers developed for red clover effectively amplify DNA from other species and this approach may be applicable for the analysis of intra- and interspecific genetic diversity of target Trifolium species.