Abstract
Because of their relative abundance, distribution across the genome, hypervariability and co-dominance, microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats, are cost effective and efficient molecular genetic markers for parentage analysis, linkage mapping, association studies, and genetic fingerprinting of cultivars. Currently, there is a small set of microsatellite markers available for Persea americana Miller. We are increasing the number by screening pre-existing avocado expressed sequence tag libraries. To date over 6183 sequences have been screened and 100 have been selected for marker development based upon size, location, and type of microsatellite identified. The development of an additional 100 simple microsatellite markers, along with the currently available microsatellite markers, should provide suitable coverage of the avocado genome for association studies and linkage mapping. These are the first steps to devise a marker-assisted selection program for avocado.
