Isolation and characterization of nine microsatellite markers from Coffea arabica L., showing wide cross-species amplifications

Genetic improvement of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is constrained by low genetic diversity and lack of genetic markers, suitable screening tools, information on the genetic make-up of available gene pool and long generation time. In this context, use of DNA markers such as microsatellites that provide high genetic-resolution becomes highly desirable. Here, we report the development of nine new microsatellite markers from partial genomic library of an elite variety of Coffea arabica. The developed microsatellites revealed robust cross-species amplifications in 17 related species of coffee, and their Polymorphic Information Content varied from 0 to 0.6, 0 to 0.78 and 0.67 to 0.90 for the arabica, robusta genotypes and species representatives, respectively. The data thus suggest their potential use as genetic markers for assessment of germplasm diversity and linkage analysis of coffee.