Development of a DNA typing technique for the genetic certification of chestnut cultivars

The possibility of patenting new varieties and the needing to protect their own genetic identity are contributing to the DNA fingerprinting techniques spreading. Therefore the developing of reliable and suitable to the genetic certification molecular markers is necessary. Codominants, highly polymorphous and present in neighbouring species and genus, microsatellites could be considered ideal markers. In this project 42 Quercus robur and 11 Quercus petraea isolated loci have been tested for the screening of 5 cultivar DNA. Afterwards 11 loci, well amplified, with regular profiles and three alleles at least, have been tested on 12 chestnut cultivar, in order to evaluate their polymorphism. Five loci interesting for the genetic certification have been observed and used, toghether with Castanea sativa isolated loci for a multiplex analysis with a semi-automatic DNA sequencer.