Development and characterization of chloroplast microsatellite markers in a fine-leaved fescue, Festuca rubra (Poaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Chloroplast microsatellite markers were developed for Festuca rubra to examine its population genetic characteristics, taxonomy, and coevolution with its endophyte Epichloë festucae. • METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirteen polymorphic markers were identified from the chloroplast genome of a F. ovina accession and intergenic chloroplast sequences of F. rubra accessions. They amplified a total of 65 alleles in a sample of 93 individuals of F. rubra originating from six different populations located in the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Norway, and Spain. • CONCLUSIONS: The developed microsatellite primer pairs can be used by researchers in population genetic and taxonomic studies, and by plant breeders in breeding programs on grasses.