Utility of SSR markers in assessing the purity and identity of pearl millet hybrids

In the present study, 30 pearl millet genotypes comprising 11 hybrids and their parental lines were used to examine the suitability of SSR markers for ensuring genetic purity and identity of seed lots. A set of nine informative SSR markers were identified that could be effectively used for the assessment of genetic purity of ten public sector-bred commercial pearl millet hybrids. Among the identified markers, five markers differentiated six hybrids from each other. Highly uniform SSR allelic profile was confirmed through the analysis of plant-to-plant variation within the parental lines of the hybrids using the identified markers, which further strengthens the application of these markers in maintenance and purity testing of hybrids and parental lines. The utility of identified markers for the genetic purity testing of pearl millet hybrids was demonstrated using two commercial seed lots of the hybrid, RHRBH8609 and HHB67, which revealed a contamination of A and/or B line to the extent of 3–4 %.