Development of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in olive tree (Olea europaea L.)

We report the development of microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in the olive tree (Olea europaea L.). Forty three positive clones obtained by the screening of a GA-enriched genomic library were sequenced and primers were designed for 13 microsatellite loci. Five primer pairs amplified polymorphic products of the expected size range. SSR polymorphism was explored in a set of 46 olive cultivars. A total of 26 alleles were detected for the five loci. Heterozygosity ranged from 0.46 to 0.71. Ninety one per cent of the cultivars had unique multilocus genotypes. Microsatellite segregation was studied in a complex population from a cross between the commercial cultivars 'Leccino' and 'Dolce Agogia'.