Development of an ISSR based SCAR marker to identify small cardamom Malabar (prostrate panicle) variety (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton.)

Small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton), a perennial cash crop exhibits an array of natural variations. Malabar, Mysore and Vazhukka are the three major cultivated forms/natural varieties cardamom, with prostrate, erect semi-erect panicles respectively. In terms several qualitative quantitative features, Malabar variety is relatively superior to varieties. However, morphologically discriminative characteristic, panicle orientation, only visible until plant has reached physiological maturity. A variety-specific marker was developed defined in this study for rapid accurate differentiation at juvenile stage. total, 35 ISSR primers were initially screened 50 small accessions two outgroup types, 18 them yielding distinct, reproducible profiles. individuals variety, primer (UBC 866–1500 bp) generated intact, amplicon, which therefore cloned, sequenced characterized. from (prostrate panicle) different geographic regions, as well hybrids, used validate SCAR (sequence characterized amplified region) marker(named SBBT4F/SBBT3R). Consistent amplification distinct 1350 bp fragment variants validated marker's specificity. According findings, promising identifying prostrate (Malabar) thus expected make significant contributions authentication varietal selection F1 hybrids during breeding programmes by reducing time labor involved hybridization experiments crop.