Identification of SSR markers for hybridity and seed genetic purity testing in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Hybrid purity is one of the most important characteristics of good quality seed. In order to identify pure hybrids and pollen shedders/offtypes an investigation was done to identify an ideal SSR marker. 58 primer pairs were screened to identify specific markers associated with each hybrid and parental lines. Hybrid KBSH-44 could be clearly identified by using 'ORS 309 and ORS 170' based on the banding pattern resolved on Polyacrylamide gel (6%). The complementary banding pattern of both parents identified the hybrid. ORS 309 amplified allele size of 250bp was specific to the female parent (CMS-17A) and 230 bp was specific to the male parent (RHA 95-C-1). These two bands of allele size 230 and 250bp were found in hybrid KBSH-44 only. Another SSR primer 'ORS 170' was able to distinguish the hybrid KBSH-44 by amplifying allele of size 230bp a female specific (CMS-17A) allele and 200 bp amplicon a male specific allele (RHA 95-C-1). SSR primer ORS 811 found specific to identify KBSH-53 and it amplified allele of size 270bp in its female parent (CMS-53A) and allele size of 230bp in its pollen parent (RHA 95-C-1). The hybrid has both the alleles from its parents at 270 and 230bp.