The use of wheat aneuploids for the chromosomal assignment of microsatellite loci

The chromosomal assignment of 64 PCR-amplified microsatellite loci and 29 additional fragments amplified by the same primer pairs is described for bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). The distribution over the different chromosomes and chromosome arms appears to be random. The highest proportion of microsatellite loci is found on the B genome, followed by the A and D genome. About half of the primer pairs amplified unique fragments, while the other half amplified additional fragments. 25% of the primer pairs, mostly designed to clones of a PstI-library, amplify fragments on homoeologous chromosomes. In some cases, more than one fragment on a single chromosome or fragments on non-homoeologous chromosomes occurred. The use of an automated DNA sequencer accounts for the accurate resolution of multiple fragments and enables to differentiate between fragments, amplified by a single primer pair, with size differences as small as two base pairs.