Potential Of Ssr Markers In Hybrid Purity Testing Of Tomato

The present study aimed at identifying and utilizing the molecular markers to strengthen the effectiveness of genetic purity testing of genotypes against the traditional grow -out-test. Four commercial hybrids of tomato developed by division of vegetable science, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi and their parents were screened with 134 SSR markers. Six markers (SLM - 7, SLAB - 53, TGS - 0162, TES - 1388, SSR - 63, and SSR - 212) were found to be polymorphic in distinguishing the hybrids.A combination ofmore than one marker could generate distinct DNA fingerprints for three hybrids PH -1, PH - 2 and PH - 8. Multiplexing was demonstrated using two markers in one hybrid for its unambiguous identification. Finally, the markers were validated on a large number of FI plants for all the hybrids by comparing them against a traditional grow -out-test.