Development, characterization, and variability analysis of microsatellites from a commercial cultivar of Musa acuminata

We report the sequence and variability parameters of 23 microsatellite primers obtained from a commercial cultivar Gongjiao ( Musa acuminata ) using selectively amplified microsatellite (SAM) analysis. Polymorphisms were evaluated in a collection of 26 banana cultivars and 11 related species/subspecies. The mean number of alleles amplified per primer was 4.55 (range, 2–9), with a total of 100 alleles identified. The mean PIC value was 0.48 (range, 0.10–0.74). In addition, 22 markers also showed robust cross-species/genera amplification across 11 related species/subspecies, with the exception of ‘Xiangtuijiao’ ( Ensete glaucum ). Unweighted pair-grouping method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis divided all the banana accessions into three main groups. The results demonstrate the usefulness of microsatellites for identification, similarity studies, and germplasm conservation in banana and related species.