Use of SSR markers to complement tests of distinctiveness, uniformity, and stability (DUS) of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties.

This study was carried out to assess the potential of SSR markers for variety identification by comparing SSR markers and morphological traits in tests of distinctiveness, uniformity, and stability (DUS) of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties. Twenty-seven SSR markers were polymorphic in 66 pepper varieties, revealing a total of 89 alleles. Average polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.529, ranging from 0.03 to 0.877. Cluster analysis of the band patterns separated the varieties into three groups corresponding to varietal types. Morphological trait-based clustering showed some degree of similarity to dendrogram topologies based on the SSR index. However, no significance correlation was found between the SSR and morphological data. SSR markers could be used to complement a DUS test of a candidate variety and to select complimentary varieties by pre-screening existing varieties in the context of protecting new varieties of pepper.