Assessment of the uniformity of wheat and tomato varieties at DNA microsatellite loci

By analysing a number (20–38) of individuals from selected varieties of wheat and tomato, we have been able to assess intra-varietal uniformity at certain micro satellite (simple sequence repeat, SSR) loci. In total, 45 varieties of wheat were analysed at between 7–9 different SSR loci, and 10 varieties of tomato were analysed at six loci. The results showed that there was variation both between varieties and between microsatellites in the degree of non-uniformity observed, and it was possible to identify a number of different probable sources of non-uniformity. Twenty-four of the wheat varieties and nine of the tomato varieties were sufficiently uniform to meet the standards currently applied for distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) testing using phenotypic characteristics. The implications for the potential future use of SSRs in DUS testing are discussed.