Orange fleshed sweet potato contains high beta carotene as vitamin A precursor. However, its production is limited by the presence of scab disease caused by Sphaceloma batatas Saw. The disease is able to cause yield loss up to 60%. Best controlling method is using resistant varieties. However, the development of resistant varieties are involving long procedures which is time consuming. The long procedure of resistance varieties selection can be shorted cut using molecular markers such as SSR (Simple Sequence Repeats). Specific SSR markers for sweet potato resistance against scab has not been found. This study aimed to screen SSR molecular markers which were related to resistance to scab. The study used 5 resistant genotypes, 5 susceptible genotypes, and 6 SSR primers. PCR analysis showed that those SSR primers were polymorphic. Furthermore, the biplot analysis result demonstrated that several markers allele were related to plant resistance against scab. This finding indicated that these particular SSR markers can be used in sweet potato breeding program as marker assisted selection to develop resistant variety against scab disease. Keywords: Sphaceloma batatas; orange fleshed sweet potato; SSR markers.
DETERMINATION OF GENETIC DIVERSITY IN SOME LOCAL ALFALFA (Medicago sativa L.) ECOTYPES USING SSR MARKERS