| Despite being important agricultural crops, turfgrasses lack significant molecular genetic resources. The objectives of the current studies were to develop molecular marker resources for genotyping Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) and for the creation of a genetic linkage map in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) Kentucky bluegrass is an important facultative apomictic temperate perennial grass species utilized for both forage and cultivated turf. Through apomixis, this species is able to propagate diverse and odd ploidy levels, resulting in many genetically distinct phenotypes. A wide range of diverse cultivars and accessions of Kentucky bluegrass have been previously characterized based on common turf performance or morphological characteristics, as well as by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. In the current studies, 265 Kentucky bluegrass cultivars, experimental selections, collections, and hybrids were genotyped using microsatellite (SSR) markers. Results based on SSR markers were compared with the original Kentucky bluegrass classification system based on pedigree, common turf performance and morphological characteristics. All cultivars, experimental selections, collections, and hybrids were uniquely identified with the current set of SSR markers. Genetic relationships of individuals as assessed by SSR markers closely matched known pedigrees. Furthermore, genetic relationships based on SSR markers more accurately reflected pedigree than genetic relationships based on morphological characteristics. The current set of SSR markers can be used to rapidly genotype and assign new cultivars/accessions to Kentucky bluegrass classification types and assess genetic relatedness among individuals, and should be considered for use in a Kentucky bluegrass Plant Variety Protection program. Creeping bentgrass is the most widely utilized cool-season turf species for intensively managed sports playing surfaces such as bowling greens and golf course putting greens, tees, and fairways. In the current study, we have constructed the first PCR marker-based genetic linkage map of creeping bentgrass, using SSR, AFLP, CISP, and ILP markers. The latter two marker types are important because they can be used to assess syntenous relationships between orphan crops lacking significant molecular genetic resources, such as creeping bentgrass, and model cereal crops such as rice. |
