Characterization of Jordanian olive cultivars (Olea europaea L.) using RAPD and ISSR molecular markers

• Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) were used to characterize 13 Jordanian olive cultivars.
• 156 and 85 reproducible markers were obtained using 15 RAPD and 14 ISSR primers, respectively.
• Polymorphism percentage was 55 for RAPD and 58 for ISSR.
• Five RAPD and three ISSR markers from the total polymorphic markers were cultivar-specific.

Thirteen Jordanian olive cultivars (Olea europaea L.) were characterized using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) markers. Using 15 RAPD and 14 ISSR primers, 156 and 85 reproducible markers were obtained, respectively. The percentage of polymorphism was 55 for RAPD and 58 for ISSR. Of the total polymorphisms identified, eight RAPD and three ISSR markers were cultivar-specific. Thirty-nine RAPD markers were able to distinguish 10 cultivars and 12 ISSR markers were able to distinguish 6 cultivars. Both markers (RAPD and ISSRs) were able to discriminate between all cultivars, indicating that when used in tandem, they represent powerful tools for olive varietal identification, enabling an accurate characterization of all cultivars. Such information may prove useful in the selection of optimal varietals and help promote continued progress in olive breeding strategies.