Identification of gentian cultivars using SCAR markers based on intron-length polymorphisms of flavonoid biosynthetic genes

Gentian is one of the most important ornamental flowers in Japan. Gentiana triflora, G. scabra and their interspecific hybrids are the main breeding materials. Gentian cultivars are easily proliferated vegetatively, therefore it is important to develop a reliable discrimination method to prevent the illegal propagation and distribution of various high-value cultivars. Here, we report five sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers based on the length polymorphisms in introns of four gentian flavonoid biosynthetic genes. These SCAR markers effectively discriminated nine gentian cultivars and nine breeding lines. This method could be applied in identifying gentian cultivars/lines and therefore will aid in protecting breeders’ rights.