Developing species-diagnostic microsatellite markers in Lepidium species

Abstract: Lepidium campestre is a potential oil and catch crop that is currently undergoing multiple studies in order to domesticate the species. Traits from four closely related species have been identified as desirable by researchers at the SLU, but more information is needed before the closely related species can be used to their fullest potential. 62 microsatellite loci were studied to develop species-diagnostic markers to facilitate introgression of the desirable traits into L. campestre and to better describe the relationships of the five species of Lepidium. Seven loci were shown to be informative between L. campestre and at least one of the four closely related species. Eight loci contained one or more informative SNPs/indels. Genetic diversity within L. campestre is estimated to be high. Diversity does not appear to group by geography. More thorough studies need to be completed to confirm this. Studies have been conducted on the relationships of some species examined in this thesis, but they are not in agreement. No conclusive data regarding these relationships was found in this thesis.