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To assess cross-species amplification, we tested 38 microsatellite loci previously developed for Rhododendron delavayi Franch. and R. decorum Franch. in eight species representative of the genus Rhododendron. Sixteen pairs can be amplified successfully in all species, whereas two failed amplification in all species. Nine loci were polymorphic across six examined species with one to 11 alleles per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosity per locus varied from 0.07 to 0.65 and 0.44 to 0.81, respectively. Cross-application of these microsatellite loci will provide a potentially useful tool to investigate the genetic structure, gene flow, and evolutionary relationships in genus Rhododendron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhododendron decorum is a common species in southwest China and northeast Myanmar, in which the flowers have been eaten as a favorite vegetable. We isolated and characterized 24 microsatellite primer pairs from this species. The number of alleles ranged from two to seven. The observed and expected heterozygosities (HO and HE) 0.3830 to 0.7855 and 0 to 0.7917, respectively. Eleven loci were significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium as a result of the heterozygote deficiency. Cross-species amplification in another eight Rhododendron species showed their potential use for evolutionary and conservation studied in this genus. These markers will be useful reveal the genetic population structure and genetic diversity of R. decorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primula amethystina Franchet. is a beautiful perennial herbaceous plant locally endemic to the alpine area in southwest China. We isolated and characterized 11 polymorphic microsatellite primer pairs from this species. The number of alleles ranged from two to five. The observed and expected heterozygosities (HO and HE) were 0.25 to 0.875 and 0.223 to 0.691, respectively. Six loci were significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium as a result of the heterozygote deficiency. These markers will have great potential to reveal the genetic population structure and genetic diversity of P. amethystina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]