The use of Microsatellite Markers in Genetic Variation Analysis of Some Introduced Rubber Tree (<em>Hevea brasiliensis</em>) Clones Cultivated in Ghana

Abstract

Purpose: Genetic makers are indispensable in the genetic quantifi cation and characterization of plant species of which rubber tree is no exception. Markers have been used severally in genetic identifi cation and diversity analysis of rubber tree species. However, in Ghana genetic diversity and relatedness among introduced rubber tree species are limited. The study is aimed to use microsatellite markers to assess the genetic variability and evaluate genetic relationships among clones of Hevea brasiliensis cultivated in Ghana. Research Method: Genomic DNA was extracted from fresh rubber leaves following the Cetyltrimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) protocol. The fi ve (5) diff erent SSR primers used for the analysis were hmct1, hmac4, hmct5, gSSR212 and gSSR194.