Use of sequence-tagged microsatellite site markers for characterizing table grape cultivars

A collection of 43 table grape cultivars, Vitis vinifera L., was studied wi th sequence-tagged microsatellite site (STMS) markers. The amplified loci w ere VVS1, VVS2, VVS3, VVS4, VVS5, VVMD5, VVMD6, and VVMD7. These loci had b een previously described and used with good results by several authors. The number of alleles observed per locus ranged from 2 (VVS3) to 8 (VVS2 and V VMD7), and the number of observed genotypes from 3 (VVS3) to 19 (VVMD5). Ex pected heterozygosity ranged from 38% (VVS1) to 80% (VVMD5). The 43 cultiva rs were clearly identified with the allelic combinations of the 8 loci. In 14 cultivars, the allelic sizes were identical to the values reported in pr evious studies with these markers, indicating the good reproducibility of t his method in different laboratories.