DNA Fingerprinting of Olive Varieties by Microsatellite Markers
Dunja Bandelj1, Jernej Jakše2 and Branka Javornik2*
1Science and Research Centre of the Republic of Slovenia, Garibaldijeva 18, SI-6000 Koper, Slovenia
2Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Breeding, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Article history:
Received: January 30, 2002
Accepted: June 18, 2002
Key words:
olives (Olea europaea L.), microsatellites, varietal identification
Summary:
Microsatellites combine several features of an ultimate molecular marker and they are used increasingly in various plant genetic studies and applications. In this work we report on the utilisation of fourteen previously developed olive microsatellite markers for the identification and differentiation of a set of nineteen olive varieties. All analysed microsatellite markers revealed a high level of polymorphism that allowed unique genotyping of the examined varieties. Ninety-six alleles were detected at all 14 loci, which multiplied into a large number of observed genotypes, giving high discrimination value for varietal identification. A minimum number of three microsatellite markers was chosen for the rapid and unambiguous varietal identification of nineteen olive varieties and only two markers were sufficient for differentiation of five local varieties. DNA fingerprints of olive cultivars by means of microsatellites provided meaningful data, which can be extended by additional olive varieties or new microsatellites and used for accurate inter-laboratory comparison. The data obtained can be used for the varietal survey and construction of a database of all olive varieties grown in Slovenia providing also additional genetic information on the agronomic and quality characteristics of the olive varieties.
*Corresponding author: 
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