Microsatellite-based evaluation of Ribes spp. germplasm

There is lack of published microsatellite data which characterizes Ribes spp. To address this, an initial study using simple sequence repeat (SSR) variation was undertaken in 41 cultivars belonging to four species of the genus Ribes to evaluate its genetic variability. The cultivars were collected in the Piedmont Region (northwest Italy), together with one cultivar from Switzerland. Twenty SSRs were screened for amplification and polymorphism. Seven failed to amplify, therefore the remaining 13 were selected and used to fingerprint all the cultivars. Microsatellite analysis resulted in the identification of 36 genotypes, suggesting the existence of possible clonal genotypes and synonyms. Among the cultivars analyzed two tetraploid accessions were found. The evaluation of genetic variability in Ribes, is of fundamental importance for future nutritional breeding programs, in order to preserve genetic resources as cultivar characterization permits better management of plant collections.