Transferability and Polymorphism Between Group 7 Chromosome Specific Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers of Bread Wheat and Its Related Non-Progenitor <i>Aegilops</i> Species

<p>Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers are highly efficient for genetic mapping and molecular breeding in crop plants. Chromosomes 7S and 7U of related non-progenitor <i>Aegilops</i> species possess superior genetic systems for high grain iron and zinc content. This study was undertaken to conduct a comprehensive analysis of transferability and polymorphism among group-7 anchored SSR markers of bread wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.) to <i>Aegilops</i> species for wheat improvement. The study revealed 77% transferability of group 7-specific SSR markers of bread wheat to 7U/7S chromosomes of <i>Aegilops</i> species. More than 80% of the 7D specific markers were found to be transferable with a high level of polymorphism. The transferability to 7S and 7U genome suggested higher similarity between bread wheat genome(s) and S genome as compared with U genome of <i>Aegilops</i> species. These polymorphic markers are highly informative, robust and cost-effective for molecular breeding and could be further utilized for identification of introgression/transfer(s) of 7S/7U chromosomal fragments in bread wheat genome through wide hybridization.