Transferability of Sequence Tagged Microsatellite Site (STMS) Markers From Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp to Vigna Radiata (L.) Wilczek

The transferability of genome-specific sequence tagged microsatellite Site (STMS) markers from Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] to Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.)Wilczek] was examined. The amplification of 19 cowpea STMS markers was carried out with 12 varieties of mungbean. Overall, Cowpea STMS primers amplified products in most of the accessions. Among the 19 pairs of VM series cowpea microsatellite primers used 17 were found to be useful, which were then checked for homozygosity. As a result only one of them was found to be polymorphic. There are no records found earlier regarding the microsatellite markers in mungbean. The transferability of these STMS primers indicates a high level of sequence conservation among cowpea and mungbean. The polymorphic SSR markers identified in this study would be useful in the analysis of genetic diversity, genetic mapping and other aspects of genetic studies in mungbean.