Analysis of genetic variability of Blueberries (Vaccinium L.) cultivars using microsatellite markers

Abstract

Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) - one of the newest garden plants. Blueberries were started cultivate in the beginning of twentieth century in the United States. Berries have many biological compuonds such as anthocyanins, polyphenol and flavonoids. These compounds have anticarcinogenics characteristics, they protect cells against free radicals, slows the aging process. For our genetic analysis we were used young blueberry leaves, which were collected in Vytautas Magnus University Kaunas Botanical Garden at May 2011 and in Vilnius University Botanical Garden at September 2011. The DNA was extracted of young blueberry leaves with a DNA-silica column. For blueberries research we used 15 microsatellite primers designed by Boches et al. (2005). Then we visualized fragments in a vertical poliacrilamid gel electrophoresis. Fifteen primers were checked for blueberries, after that analysis 8 microsatellite primers were selected: CA23F, NA961, NA1040, CA421F, CA169F, CA112F, VCC_J9, VCC_S10. The total number of fragments was ranged from 4 to 29, and the size - from 115 to 250 bp. The most unique alleles were detected in 'Chanticleer' and 'Sila' species, at least - one unique allele was found in cultivars: 'Aron', 'Atlantic', 'Bluetta', 'Earliblue', 'Croatan' and 'Blueheaven'.