Development of chemical and EST-SSR markers for Ocimum genus

Ocimum (Lamiaceae) species are commercially important medicinal and aromatic plants with proven efficacy in Unani and Ayurvedic systems of medicine. In this study, chemical variability amongst different accessions of Ocimum genus was determined. Caryophyllene, alpha-caryophyllene and linalool appear to be prominent markers in Ocimum. We have also developed new EST derived microsatellite markers that are transferable across different species of Ocimum genus. These chemical and genetic markers may be useful in planned breeding studies.