Analysis of simple sequence repeat markers in homozygous lines of apple.

Haploids in apple were induced using anther culture and in situ parthenogenesis followed by in vitro culture of immature embryos or cotyledons. In addition to an earlier characterization of the zygosity state using isozymes, the purpose of this work was an analysis of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) to describe the homozygosity more comprehensively. Five previously described SSR primer combinations were applied. Initially, polymerase chain reaction amplification with the primer pairs was performed on the donor genotypes `Alkmene' and `Remo' and on a further four apple cultivars. Only those primer pairs that amplified two different contrasting alleles could be used for investigation of the zygosity state. According to these analyses both the androgenic and parthenogenic regenerated shoots are homozygous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]