Microsatellite genetic markers of Saccharrum spp., and Erianthus sp. on their hybrids

Progeny identification is an important step that should be undertaken after hybridization. However, polyploidy, aneuploidy, and high chromosome segregation in sugarcane result in various phenotypic characteristic variations, while environmental effects serve as limiting factors for identifying progenies based on morphological characteristics. Microsatellites, as one of the molecular markers, exhibit codominant inheritance, are multiallelic, abundant in the genome, and are not influenced by environmental factors, making them the best tool to assess crossing fidelity accurately. This research aimed to identify the possibility of genetic markers of Saccharum spp. and Erianthus sp. in their hybrid using microsatellite molecular markers. The study was carried out in the Molecular Genetic Laboratory of the Indonesian Sweetener and Fiber Crops Research Institute (ISFCRI) Malang, from August 2016 to July 2017. Eighty-six (86) F1 intraspecific and interspecific progenies, three commercial sugarcane varieties (PSJT941, PS881, and VMC7616), and two wild types (S. spontaneum and Erianthus sp.) were assessed genetically using three microsatellite markers. Identification of microsatellite genetic markers was conducted by comparing the visualization band results from electrophoresis of each male and female parent with their progenies. All primers successfully identified genetic markers for Saccharum spp. and Erianthus sp. A total of one to eleven genetic markers were identified, including 2–11 PS881-specific alleles, 2–3 VMC7616-specific alleles, 1–5 PSJT941-specific alleles, two S. spontaneum-specific alleles, and 1–2 Erianthus-specific alleles. These findings could be used as advanced genetic markers of microsatellites in sugarcane breeding to assess crossing fidelity.