A 48 SNP set for grapevine cultivar identification

Abstract

them the future markers of choice for any type of genetic identification. Results We analyzed over 300 SNPs in the genome of grapevine using a resequencing strategy in a selection of 11 genotypes. Among the identified polymorphisms, we selected 48 SNPs spread across all grapevine chromosomes with allele frequencies balanced enough as to provide sufficient information content for genetic identification in grapevine and with good genotyping success rate. Marker stability was tested in repeated analyses of a 4 selected group of cultivars obtained all over the world to demonstrate their usefulness in genetic identification. Conclusions We have selected a set of 48 stable SNP markers with a high discrimination power and a uniform genome distribution (2–3 markers/chromosome) that is proposed as a standard set for grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) genotyping. Any previous problems derived from microsatellite allele confusion between labs or the need to run reference cultivars to identify allele sizes disappear with this type of marker. Furthermore, being bi-allelic, allele and genotype naming are extremely simplified and data obtained with different equipment and by different laboratories is always fully comparable.