Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) Markers for Genetic Diversity Studies in Trifolium Species

Abstract

Trfiolium species are economically important livestock forage and green manure crops and they can fix nitrogen through root nodulation by the bacterium Rhizobium leguminosarum. The development and utilization of molecular markers for the exploitation and identification of plant genetic diversity is one of the most key developments in the field of molecular genetics studies. Research on genetic diversity of trifolium species using molecular markers has been increasing over time for the management of germplasm and for evolving conservation strategies. DNA based markers are widely used, since their availability in potentially unlimited number and the property that they generally are not affected by developmental differences or environmental influences. This review discusses the principles of Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker and its application to genetic diversity studies of different Trifolium species.

Key words: Genetic diversity, ISSR markers, Trifolium