Buddleja Cultivar Identification Using Microsatellite Markers

Buddleja (butterfly bush) is a genus of common landscape plants in temper-ate and subtropical gardens. Substantial breeding has led to a wealth of diverse cultivars with varied pedigrees. Molecular markers would be useful tools for breeders and others studying butterfly bush to identify cultivars. We evaluated SSR markers developed in Buddleja to fingerprint 11 cultivars to determine whether they were useful in cultivar identification. Markers Bud_03, Bud_10, and Bud_13 were polymorphic across all genotypes in the study and capable of accurate cultivar identification. These markers may be useful to breeders for intellectual property protection and to identify cultivars in instances of mislabeling.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the use of SSR markers developed in Buddleja for cultivar identification. The markers Bud_03, Bud_10, and Bud_13 were found to be polymorphic and capable of accurately identifying cultivars. These markers may be useful for breeders in protecting their intellectual property and for identifying mislabeled cultivars.