Assessment of genetic diversity and relationships of Krachaai Sayam, an endemic plant in Thailand using microsatellite markers

Abstract

Nineteen microsatellite markers were developed from Boesenbergia siamensis (Gagnep.) P. Sirirugsa, an endemic plant of Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand and used to determine genetic diversity of this plant. The number of alleles of each locus varied from 4 to 16 in 25 individual samples. The average values of observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.577 and 0.804, respectively. The polymorphic information content value ranged between 0.486 and 0.912. Ten loci significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and eight pairs of loci showed significant evidence of linkage disequilibrium. Moreover, these newly developed microsatellite markers were used to determine cross-species amplification with three samples each of B. thorelii (Gagnep.) Loes., B. rotunda (L.) Mansf. and Kaempferia parviflora Wall. Of the 19 markers developed, 13 (68.42%) primer pairs were able to be used with B. thorelii (Gagnep.) Loes. and K. parviflora Wall., while 12 (63.16%) primer pairs were able to be used with B. rotunda (L.) Mansf. These microsatellite markers will be useful for further genetic analysis of this endemic plant as well as related species.

Keywords::

• Zingiberaceae
• Boesenbergia siamensis (Gagnep.) P. Sirirugsa
• Krachaai Sayam
• microsatellite markers
• genetic diversity
• cross-amplification

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National Research Council of Thailand, the Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the Royal Initiation of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (RSPG) and Mahidol University.