Development and characterization of microsatellite markers in black poplar(Populus nigra L.)

Using an enrichment procedure, we have cloned and sequenced microsatellite loci from black poplar (Populus nigra L.) and developed primers for sequenc e-tagged microsatellite (STMS) analysis. Twelve primer pairs for dinucleoti de repeats produced fragments of sufficient quality which were polymorphic in P. nigra. Some of them also showed amplification in other Populus specie s (P. deltoides, P. tricocarpa, P. tremula, P. tremuloides, P. candicans, a nd/or P. lasiocarpa). The best nine and (GT) (GA) microsatellite markers we re tested on a set of 23 P. nigra genotypes from all over Europe. The micro satellites were highly polymorphic, with 10-19 different alleles per micros atellite locus among these 23 genotypes. WPMS08 sometimes amplified three f ragments. Using the other eight marker loci, the level of heterozygosity am ong the plants was on average 0.71 (range 0.25-1.00). The microsatellite ma rkers developed will be useful for screening the genetic diversity in natur al populations and in gene bank collections.