Identification of white clover (Trifolium repens) cultivars using molecular markers

The different molecular analysis for specification of white clover (Trifolium repens) populations was studied between 2002 and 2003. RAPD, SSR (microsatellites), rDNA and PCR-RFLP markers were used. A high genetic variation was detected among the cultivars but also within the cultivars by RAPD markers. For this reason RAPD markers were not found as a suitable marker system for determination of white clover cultivars. The distribution of low genetic variation of rDNA and PCR-RFLP markers was not able to differentiate cultivars. SSR and rDNA markers did not show patterns variability within one cultivar. The different sizes of PCR fragments were obtained after amplification with microsatellite primers. SSR markers are therefore suggested as the suitable markers for the identification of different T. repens cultivars.