Development of SSR Markers by Using Next Generation Sequencing Technology in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

Pomegranate is known as a subtropical climate plant with very strong root system, in perennial, bushy form. Microsatellites are composed of 1-6 bp nucleotide groups which are repeated on successive chromosomes of high organisms. New generation DNA sequencing technologies developed in recent years and emerging as one of the most important technologies today can perform highly accurate, ultra-fast sequencing. RNA sequencing is one of the most powerful and new technologies for the quantitative analysis of gene expression. In the present study, it is aimed to identify microsatellite regions in pomegranate by using new generation sequencing technologies. RNA-seq studies have been carried out for this purpose. The 'Hicaznar' and '33N26' varieties were used in RNA-seq analyzes. As a result of the bioinformatics studies, identification of microsatellite regions on DNA has been achieved. Approximately 19,000 microsatellites were determined at the end of the study. 20 SSR primer pairs randomly selected from these regions were tested in 40 different pomegranate genotypes. As a result of the analysis, 20 SSR primer pairs were successfully amplified and 5 of them provided polymorphic results