Identification of microsatellite markers in the rye genome

The rye genomic library, which consists of DNA fragments in the range of 0.5–1.1 kb, was screened for the presence of tri-and tetranucleotide and compound microsatellites. Of the 1,600,000 clones analysed, 102 clones were positive and 41 were suitable for SSR primer pair design. Twenty-six primer pairs amplified specific products, and six of them were capable of detecting polymorphism among 30 rye accessions of different genetic backgrounds. Using a set of Chinese Spring-Imperial wheat-rye addition lines, it was possible to locate 3 newly identified microsatellites on chromosomes 3R, 4R and 7R.