Development of microsatellite markers for buffalograss (Buchloë dactyloides; Poaceae), a drought-tolerant turfgrass alternative.
OBJECTIVE
Buchloë dactyloides (Poaceae) is an important component of Great Plains prairies and a popular drought-tolerant turfgrass alternative in North America. This species comprises an autopolyploid series, and microsatellite primers were developed to understand the distribution of genetic variation among cytotypes and across its large geographic range.


RESULTS
Fifteen microsatellite loci were designed and successfully amplified in six B. dactyloides populations. Within-population genetic diversity was comparatively high, consistent with B. dactyloides' life history. Allelic variation at 13 loci was consistent with the cytotype established in chromosome-counted samples.


CONCLUSIONS
This variable, interpretable set of loci allows for the determination of multilocus genotype in B. dactyloides individuals of varying cytotype. Data such as these from a range-wide sample set can provide important insights for germplasm conservation and crop improvement in this ecologically and economically important species.
Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, 537 Hubbard Hall, Wichita, Kansas 67260 USA.
Jacob J
JJ
Hadle
Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, 537 Hubbard Hall, Wichita, Kansas 67260 USA.
Lauren A
LA
Konrade
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina 29802 USA.
Rochelle R
RR
Beasley
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina 29802 USA.
Stacey L
SL
Lance
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045 USA.
Kenneth L
KL
Jones
Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, 537 Hubbard Hall, Wichita, Kansas 67260 USA; Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 1700 University Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 USA.
James B
JB
Beck
Buchloë dactyloides; Great Plains; Illumina sequencing; Poaceae; native turfgrass alternative; polyploidy; simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers