DEVELOPMENT OF DNA MARKERS (ISSRs) IN MANGO

A number of DNA-based techniques have been developed to identify genetic variability within species. Applications include DNA fingerprinting to distinguish varieties, studies of genetic diversity in populations, as well as identification of specific genes and relating DNA sequence to function. Amplification of inter-simple-sequence-repeats (ISSRs) is a relatively novel technique and has proven to be a powerful, rapid, simple, reproducible and inexpensive way to assess genetic diversity or to identify closely related cultivars in many species, including fruit trees. We have tested a range of ISSR primer sequences in mango and identified those that show clear polymorphisms between cultivars grown in Australia. The study demonstrates the potential of DNA markers for mango improvement in the following areas: variety identification, validation of parentages, estimation of genetic variation in existing populations, and characterisation of rootstocks.