Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) is an important medicinal tree found in northeast Asia. In this study, we analyzed the genome-wide distribution of microsatellites in E. senticosus. By sequencing 711 clones from an SSR-enriched genomic DNA library, we obtained 12 polymorphic SSR markers, which also revealed successful amplicons in E. senticosus accessions. Using the developed SSR markers, we estimated genetic diversity and population structure among 131 E. senticosus accessions in Korea and China. The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 11, with an average of 7.4 alleles. The mean values of observed heterozygosity (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE) were 0.59 and 0.56, respectively. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.51 in all 131 E. senticosus accessions. E. senticosus accessions in Korea and China showed a close genetic similarity. Significantly low pairwise genetic divergence was observed between the two regions, suggesting a relatively narrow level of genetic basis among E. senticosus accessions. Our results not only provide molecular tools for genetic studies in E. senticosus but are also helpful for conservation and E. senticosus breeding programs.

We collected 32 maize inbred lines from eastern cereal and oilseed research center in Canada to develop new maize varieties. We also evaluated genetic diversity, genetic relationships, and population structure using 35 SSR markers. A total of 269 alleles were revealed in 35 loci with an average of 7.69 and a range between 3 and 15 alleles per locus. The genetic diversity values varied from 0.176 to 0.889 with an average of 0.691. The polymorphic information content varied from 0.171 to 0.879 with an average of 0.659. Population structure analysis indicated that 32 Canadian maize inbred lines comprised four major groups and one admixed group based on a membership probability threshold of 0.80. The four major groups contained 13, 2, 5 and 2 maize inbred lines, respectively. From genetic relationships analysis, the all inbred lines were divided into three main groups at 26% genetic similarity. Group I included 22 inbred lines, and Group II included 9 inbred lines. Group III consist of only one inbred line. The results in this study would be useful for the improvement and development of new cultivars, planning crosses for hybrids or development of inbred line in maize breeding program

Background : Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is a perennial herb belongs to the family Araliaceae. Wild-cultivated ginseng (WCG) is a specific type of ginseng in Korea which cultivated on artificial forest cultivation method. To obtain a WCG which is similar to wild ginseng (WG), this method usually performed in a mountain using seeds or seedlings of cultivated ginseng (CG) and WG. WCG is very expensive because it is difficult to cultivate. However, systematic cultivation method have not yet been developed compared to high added value. Furthermore, very high price of WCG caused the problem that Panax notoginseng or Panax quinquefolium are sold as WCG in Korean market. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity of WCG collected from five areas in Korea using SSR markers. Methods and Results : WCG samples were collected from five areas in Korea (Bucheon, Cheongju, Hoengseong, Judeok and Ulsan). DNA extraction was performed using CTAB method. SSR markers were collected from the published papers. After test PCR using the markers, one of the primer pair was labeled with fluorescence dye (FAM, NED, PET, or VIC) and GeneScan analysis were performed. DNA amplification was conducted using T-100 Thermal Cycler (Bio-Rad). PCR products were separated by capillary electrophoresis on the ABI 3730 DNA analyzer (Applied Biosystems). Conclusion : Eight SSR markers were collected from the published literature and used for the analysis. From the 8 tested SSR markers, 7 SSR markers showed polymorphism between varieties. GenScan analysis were performed using the selected SSR markers to analyze the phylogenetic relationship of WCG. From the results, WCG cultivated in Korea showed that they have a very diverse genetic background.

Background : Codonopsis lanceolata is a perennial plant of Campanulaceae and mainly distributed in East Asia such as Korea, China, and Japan. C. lanceolata has a unique taste and aroma, and it is rich in minerals such as phosphorus and calcium, and vitamin B1 and B2, so our ancestors used the plant as medicinal herb and edible vegetable. However, systematic cultivation and development of varieties have not been achieved compared to demand or high added value. The genetic diversity and relationship analysis of the plants help to increase the efficiency of breeding through genetic variation. Methods and Results : Ten species of Codonopsis plants were used as materials and DNA was extracted from each 4 individuals per species and quantified at a concentration of 10 ng /㎕. The extracted DNA was pooled by species and PCR was performed using the EST-SSR marker developed based on C. lanceolata in the previous study. PCR amplification was carried out using a denaturation at 94℃ for 30 sec, annealing at 58℃ for 30 sec and extension at 72℃ for 30 sec, repeated for 35 total cycles. The PCR products were separated in a 4% agarose gell at 100 V for 40 min. Conclusion : In this study, C. lanceolata collections was determined among several Codonopsis species using these molecular marker. It is expected that the data of this study can be used as reference for genetic polymorphism analysis and related gene studies of Codonopsis species.

Background : In this study, a total of 46 breeding lines consisting of native ginseng collections from Geumsan was analyzed and clustered for the selection of Geumsan native ginseng in Korea using DNA markers. Methods and Results : We collected 46 Ginseng breeding lines from Geumsan : GS97-25 - GS00-58. Analyses of the genetic characteristics of the collection were conducted for extraction gDNA using sprout. 46 Ginseng breeding lines from Geumsan could be identified polymorphism using the selected 5 primer. We determained that the 46 breeding lines analyzed could be classified into 5 groups with similartiy value of 0.77 in dendrogram derived from the cluster analysis based on STS-markers. Group 4, which is the largest one, contained 19 collertions (41%). Conclusion : These finding could be used for morphological and genetic characteristics for produced native ginseng in Geumsan area. Futhermore, We could be used diverse genetic resources for Ginseng breeding.

Background : Cucuma longa L., in the family Zingiberaceae, is distributed in tropical and/or sub-tropical regions mainly in India and China. This species is commonly called tumeric, powder is used as medicinal herbs and/or flavor enhancer. It has been cultivated in southern region mainly Jindo. However, it might be possible to extend cultivation region due to rise in average temperature. In order to select superior lines, agronomic characteristics is commonly used. Because this is not the ultimate solution, the DNA marker approach has benefited the modern plant breeding. Therefore an easy approach by using one kind of primer have been developed from random amplification of polymorphic DNA sequences (RAPD) to discriminate effectively between different cultivars of Cucuma species Methods and Results : DNAs were extracted from the harvested roots of Cucuma sp. using DNeasy plant Mini kit (Qiagen, Hilen, Germany). These plants cultivated from GARES (Hamyang) and used for PCR amplification. The relative concentration of the extracted DNA was estimated Nano Drop ND-1000 (NanoDrop Technologies, Wklmington, De, USA) and final DNA concentration was adjusted to 5.5 ng/㎕. In this study 9 primer pairs were tested on 8 Cucuma sp. These primers showed polymorphism in Cucuma sp. The cluster dendogram showed that the similarity coefficients ranged from 0.68 to 0.87, CUR02 turned out to be CUR11, and CUR16 is similar to CUR17. Conclusion : These finding could be used for further research on cultivar development by using molecular breeding techniques and for conservation of the genetic diversity of Cucuma species. These data on polymorphism difference based on RAPD will be give us invaluable breeding information by selection of superior lines.

The morphological characteristics and genetic relationships among 32 germplasms of Zanthoxylum schinifolium and Zanthoxylum piperitum collected from two farms in Korea were investigated. The traits with the most variability were seed color, leaf size, and spine size. The intraspecific polymorphism of Z. schinifolium and Z. piperitum was 96.5% and 60.3%, respectively. The genetic diversity and Shannon’s information index values ranged from 0.11 to 0.33 and 0.19 to 0.50, with average values of 0.26 and 0.42, respectively. Two ISSR primers (UBC861 and UBC862) were able to distinguish the different species. The genetic similarity matrix (GSM) revealed variability among the accessions ranging from 0.116 to 0.816. The intraspecific GSM for Z. schinifolium and Z. piperitum was 0.177–0.780 and 0.250–0.816, respectively. The GSM findings indicate that Z. schinifolium and Z. piperitum accessions have high genetic diversity and possess germplasms qualifying as good genetic resources for cross breeding. The clustering analysis separated Z. schinifolium and Z. piperitum into independent groups, and all accessions could be classified into three categories. Z. Schinifolium var. nermis belonged to independent groups. Comparison of the clusters based on morphological analysis with those based on ISSR data resulted in an unclear pattern of division among the accessions. The study findings indicate that Z. schinifolium and Z. piperitum accessions have genetic diversity, and ISSR markers were useful for identifying Z. schinifolium and Z. piperitum.

Background : Compositae is one of the largest plant families which has high probability of diversity and mutation. Though the various researches about the Compositae are ongoing, it is incomplete and need to be conducted the molecular genetic researches to back up the previous studies. This research was performed to identify the genetic divergence of Compositae plants based on the DNA barcoding for cpDNA-matK and rbcL regions. Methods and Results : For this studies, the genetic sequence analysis (SNP/InDel) and phylogenetic analysis were conducted by using Neighbor-Joining algorithm as targeting the nineteen specimens from 7 species which received a IT number along with NCBI Genbank database (http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) sequences. The result of matK sequence analysis, 68 SNP and 2 InDel regions (at nt 527-538bp and 695-706bp positions) were confirmed. Also 10 SNPs were found in rbcL region. The genetic divergence showed 0.000-0.059% in matK regions, and the mean was 0.024%. The highest distance were observed between Ligualria fischeri and the group composed with Aster tataricus and Solidago virgauria (2 and 3). The sequence divergence for rbcL regions showed 0.000-0.018%, and the mean was 0.005%. The highest sequence distance in rbcL region were observed between L. fischeri group and S. virgauria (HE574593). In result of phylogenetic analysis in matK region, the most species formed independent clade. A. tataricus in Aster genus and two samples of S. virguaria in Solidago genus were formed one same clade. S. virguaria(1) and A. spathulifolius(2) has been separated into independently for the plants belonging to same genus, respectively. A. spathulifolius showed differences with NCBI data. The rbcL formed one same clade except L. fischeri and Synurus deltoides. Conclusion : This study indicates that matK is more valuable than rbcL for the distinction among the species of Compositae. This results are expected to be used for the establishment of the classification system of Compositae as well as for the studies in the development of an authentication marker.

Background : Codonopsis lanceolata is a flowering perennial climber. The roots are used as medicinal materials or vegetables. C. lanceolata is distributed in India and East Asia such as China, Japan as well as Korea. Recently, demand for C. lanceolata is increasing as a healthy food. In South Korea, this plant is widely cultivated in Gangwon-do province. Although, C. lanceolata is one of the most important medicinal plants in Korea, an elite, inbred line or a variety has not been developed yet. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker is a powerful tool for analysis of genetic relationships. In addition, it is a useful tool for studying the non-reference plant genome, due to its even distribution throughout the genome, as well as its high polymorphism between individuals. Methods and Results : We constructed microsatellite-enrichment libraries using C. lanceolata genomic DNA, and obtained a total of 226 non-redundant contig sequences. Routine PCR was performed using gDNA as templates for the polymorphic markers screening. Finally, total 15 polymorphic SSR markers based on C. lanceolata genomic sequences were successfully developed. These markers were applied to 53 C. lanceolata collected from Korea. 103 alleles of the 15 SSR markers ranged from 3 to 19 alleles at each locus, with an average of 6.87. The average of observed heterozygosity and genetic diversity were 0.42 and 0.62, respectively. The average of polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.57. The genetic distance value ranged from 0.73 to 0.93, and there was no observed distinct group according to the collecting areas. Conclusion : We developed 15 novel SSR markers from C. lanceolata genomic sequences for further genetic studies. Also, we concluded that the lineage of C. lanceolata collected in Korea has not been established systematically.

The amylose contents of rice determine eating quality which is one of the major traits in rice breeding program. To identify the low-amylose gene of the japonica rice cultivar Baegjinju, genetic analysis was conducted using 200 F2 population derived from a cross between the japonica cultivars, Saeilmi and Baegjinju. Individual F2 plants were classified as wild type (translucent grain) and mutant type (dull grain) based on the grain appearance of brown rice. Two hundred F2 plants were segregated into 155 wild type plants and 45 mutant type plants, which fit the 3:1 ratio (x2 = 0.667, df = 1, p = 0.414) and this result indicated the low-amylose gene of Baegjinju is a single recessive gene which controls the amylose contents. Linkage analysis was conducted to localize the low-amylose gene of Baegjinju and fine mapped within an 800-kb interval between 17.5 to 18.8Mb on short arm of chromosome 10. Co-segregated SSR marker, RM25648 was developed and it could be useful for marker-assisted selection and determination of the genetic resource related with amylose contents in rice breeding.

Background : Wild-cultivated P. ginseng (WCG) is a specific ginseng in Korea which depends on artificial forest growth method. To obtain a WCG which is similar to wild ginseng (WG), this method usually performed in a mountain using seeds or seedlings of cultivated ginseng (CG) and WG. Recently, very high price of WCG caused the problem that Panax notoginseng or Panax quinquefolium are sold as WCG in Korean market. This is concerned as a serious problem to consumers. In this study, we tried to develop a method to discriminate WCG, CG or WG using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and phylogenetic analysis. Methods and Results : WCG samples (3, 5, or 6-years old) were collected in Hoengseong, Gangwondo. DNA extraction was performed using CTAB method. SSR markers were collected from the published papers. After test PCR using the markers, one of the primer pair was labeled with fluorescence dye (FAM, NED, PET, or VIC) and Gene Scan analysis were performed. NTsys-PC program was used for the phylogenetic analysis of the data. Eight SSR markers were collected from the published literature and used for the analysis. From the 8 tested SSR markers, 7 SSR markers showed polymorphism between varieties. GenScan analysis were performed using the selected SSR markers to analyze the phylogenetic relationship of WCG. Conclusion : Phylogenetic analysis showed the relationship between WCG and P. ginseng cultivars and the seven SSR markers used in this study are able to distinguish Wild-cultivated P. ginseng.

Background : Codonopsis is a flowering plants belong to the family Campanulaceae, and has many kinds of medicinal properties. As currently recognized, two other groups, Campanumoea and Leptocodon, are included in the Codonopsis. The enlarged genus Codonopsis is distributed in Eastern, Southern, Central, and Southeastern Asia. C. lanceolata, C. clematidea and C. pilosula has many kinds of medicinal properties and this plants are used as medicinal and edible plants. C. ovata and C. mollis are distributed in Pakistan Kashmir and Himalaya mountains at an altitude of about 3,000 m, and flowers bloom in July to August. Methods and Results : In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity of 5 Codonopsis species using 8 SSR markers base on C. lancelolata genomic sequences. Samples were obtained from fresh leaves of 5 plants from each species and genomic DNA was extracted using CTAB method. PCR was performed in total 20μl reaction volume containing 20 ng of DNA template and 5 pmole of primers. PCR conditions composed pre-denaturation at 95℃ for 5 min, then 35 cycles of 95°C for 30 sec, 60°C for 30 sec and 72°C for 30 sec, and a final extension at 72℃ for 30 min. The amplified band sizes ranged from 74 to 301 bp and clearly showed single or doble bands in eletrophoresis. From the phylogenetic analysis, C. lanceolata was grouped together, but the others were not grouped together according to the species. Conclusion : We concluded that C. lanceolata cultivated in Korea is different from the other species, and the eight SSR markers used in this study are able to distinguish C. lanceolata from the other species.

Plant breeding requires the collection of genetically diverse genetic resources. Studies on the characteristics of Platycodon grandiflorum resources have not been carried out so far. The present study was carried out to discriminate P. grandiflorum based on morphological characteristics and genetic diversity using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Methods and Results :We collected 11 P. grandiflorum cultivars: Maries II, Hakone double white, Hakone double blue, Fuji white, Fuji pink, Fuji blue, Astra white, Astra pink, Astra blue, Astra semi-double blue and Jangbaek. Analyses of the morphological characteristics of the collection were conducted for aerial parts (flower, stem and leaf) and underground parts (root). Next, the genetic diversity of all P. grandiflorum resources was analyzed using SSR markers employing the DNA fragment analysis method. We determined that the 11 P. grandiflorum cultivars analyzed could be classified by plant length, leaf number and root characteristic. Based on the genetic diversity analysis, these cultivars were classified into four distinct groups. Conclusions : These findings could be used for further research on cultivar development using molecular breeding techniques and for conservation of the genetic diversity of P. grandiflorum. Moreover, the markers could be used for genetic mapping of the plant and marker-assisted selection for crop breeding.

Thirty-eight Pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes were screened to identify varieties to be suitable for sprout. Based on seed yield and sprout qualities such as whole length and sprout yield, five genotypes (PI269803, PI343278, PI343283, PI343300 and PI 343307) were primarily selected as candidates for pea sprouts. In order to determine optimal cultivation condition for pea sprouting, growth characteristics were investigated according to the change of germination temperature and days for sprouting. Whole length and hypocotyl length were observed to increase as a time dependent manner at each tested temperature (20, 23, and 25°C). However, whole length, hypocotyl length, and sprout yield were highly increased at 23°C compared to 20 and 25°C. Especially, PI269803 and PI343300 showed higher sprout yield than the others. In addition, the effect of the change of germination temperature on antioxidant properties was estimated by measuring total phenolic content (TPC) and free radical scavenging activity (DPPH and ABST activity). TPC and DPPH/ABST activities of PI269803 and PI343300 were higher at 23°C than at 20 and 25°C, while antioxidant properties of PI343278 and PI343283 were decreased in a temperaturedependent manner. The results show a high degree of correlation between TPC and antioxidant activities and suggest that the temperature change for pea sprouting could be responsible for antioxidant properties. Taken together, these results provide optimal cultivation conditions for pea sprouting and suggest that PI269803 and PI343300 with high sprout yield and antioxidant properties could be used for pea sprouts.

Genomic DNA samples isolated from geographical purplish Washington clam (Saxidomus purpuratus) were obtained from three different regions in the Korean Peninsula: Geoje (Geoje population; GJP), Gunsan (Gunsan population; GSP) and a site of North Korea (North Korea population; NKP). The seven primers generated the total 369 loci that can be scored from the GSP clam population. 356 fragments were generated from the NKP clam population. The complexity of the banding patterns varies dramatically between the primers and three localities. In this study, 319 loci were identified in the purplish Washington clam from Geoje and 369 in the clam population from Gunsan: 221 specific loci (69.3%) in the GJP clam population and 300 (81.3%) in the GSP population. These results demonstrate that the primer detected a large quantity of specific fragments, suggesting that the genetic variation in the GSP is higher than in the GJP population. In particular, the BION-28 primer gave DNA profiles with more fragments than the other six primers in the NKP population. The oligonucleotides primer BION-75 produced 21 unique loci to each population, which were ascertaining each population, approximately 250 bp, 300 bp and 400 bp, in the GJP population. Outstandingly, the primer BION-50 detected 21 shared loci by the three populations, major and/or minor fragments of sizes 150 bp, which were matching in all samples. With regard to average bandsharing value (BS) results, individuals from GJP population (0.743) displayed higher bandsharing values than did individuals from GSP population (0.606). In the present study, the dendrogram gained by the seven oligonucleotides primers indicates three genetic clusters: cluster 1 (GEOJE 01 ~ GEOJE 07), cluster 2 (GUNSAN 08 ~ GUNSAN 14), cluster 3 (N.KOREA 15 ~ N.KOREA 21). Among the twenty one clams, the shortest genetic distance that revealed significant molecular differences was between individuals 08 and 09 from the NKP population (genetic distance = 0.073), while the longest genetic distance among the twenty-one individuals that demonstrated significant molecular differences was between individuals GEOJE no. 03 and GUNSAN no. 09 (genetic distance = 0.669). Comparatively, individuals of GJP population were properly closely related to that of NKP population, as revealed in the hierarchical dendrogram of genetic distances. In due course, PCR analysis has revealed the significant genetic distance among three purplish Washington clam populations. PCR fragments discovered in this study could be valuable as a DNA marker of the three geographical clam populations to distinguish.

Recently, many breeders have preferred to use molecular markers for introgression backcross programs enabling foreground and background selection to cope with rapid cultivar changing of seed markets. In accumulation of target traits with marker-assisted selection, larger numbers of markers should give better resolution. For the analysis of quantitative traits, a high-density genetic map with a large number of markers is required for discovering more accurately linked markers with traits. Watermelon is a recalcitrant plant to generate a high-density genetic map with conventional molecular markers including simple sequence repeats (SSRs), since watermelon has narrow genetic diversity background and severe segregation distortions of those SSR markers. Thus, we have developed efficient and valid way to assemble genetic map and markers by next-generation sequencing coupled with genotyping by sequencing in F2 generation. After crosses between Citurullus lanatus ssp. citroides (PI254744 and PI189225) and C. lanatus ssp. lanatus (TS34, Korean cultigen), 163 of F2 progeny were sequenced through Illumina's Hi-Seq GAII platform. From sequence information of those variant call files, the SNPs were indexed and filtered by sequencing depth with genotype converter (SNP Genotyper), and optimized by heuristic physical bin mapping to construct more reliable genetic linkage map. Reliable SNP loci were determined and compared to sequences of physical reference map. Using the genetic map, we determined QTLs in F2:3 population and found major loci corresponding to seed size and powdery mildew race1 resistance in watermelon.

In this study, genetic diversity of wild Codonopsis lanceolata collected in Korea were analysed using SSR makers. Wild C. lanceolata roots were collected in Jeollanam-do Jangheung-gun Choentae Mountain as in roots. The wild C. lanceolata plants were cultivated in Chungbuk National University greenhouse and the leaves were sampled from 36 plants. The genomic DNA of C. lanceolata was extracted using CTAB. PCR was performed using a program of 35 cycles at 94℃ for 30 sec, 60℃ for 30 sec, and 72℃ for 30 sec with an pre-denaturation of 94℃ for 5 min and a final extension of 72℃ for 30 min. The PCR reaction mixture contains 5 pmole of primers and 20 ng of DNA template in a 20 μL reaction volume. The genotype of the analyzed samples were very different. Therefore, the wild C. lanceolata collected in Korea look genetically diverse.

Codonopsis lanceolata is a perennial climber. The roots are used as medicinal materials or vegetables. Recently, demand for C. lanceolata is increasing as a healthy food. C. lanceolata is distributed in India and East Asia such as China, Japan as well as Korea. In South Korea, this plant is widely cultivated in Gangwon-do province. No C. lanceolata varieties were developed in Korea. The objective of this study is to analyze genetic diversity of C. lanceolata cultivated in Korea using SSR makers. C. lanceolata roots were collected in each region were cultivated in Chungbuk National University greenhouse. Samples were obtained from fresh leaves of 5 plants from each collection region. The genomic DNA was extracted using CTAB. Genetic diversity was analysed using 4 sets of C. lanceolata SSR makers. PCR was performed in total 20 μL reaction volume containing 20 ng of DNA template, 5 pmole of primers. The genotypes of the analyzed samples were very similar. That means that the genetic diversity of C. lanceolata cultivated in Korea is very low.

Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is a member of the Ericaceae and eleven varieties have been registered at the Korea Seed & Variety Service for Plant Variety Protection (PVP). This study was to develop simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis and to analysis genetic relationship of blueberry 31 varieties. Highbush blueberry ‘Camellia’ and rabbiteye blueberry ‘Alapaha’ varieties were used as sequencing materials. Out of total 987 SSR primers detected between ‘Camellia’ and ‘Alapaha’, 148 SSR primers were initially applied to select SSR markers for identification of blueberry varieties. Fourteen SSR markers showed polymorphism between 8 varieties. Seven SSR markers showed reproducibility and clear peak among 14 SSR markers. Genetic relationships of 31 blueberry varieties were analyzed and identified using 7 SSR markers. A total of 30 polymorphic SSR alleles were obtained and two to seven alleles were detected for each locus with an average of 4.3 alleles per locus. Average polymorphism information content was 0.556, ranging from 0.374 to 0.714. Genetic distance of clusters ranged from 0.38 to 0.93 by unweighted pair-group method with arithmetical average based on Jaccard’s distance coefficients. These newly developed SSR markers indicate usefulness for variety identification related to seed dispute and distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) test for blueberry.

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) is one of the most popular ornamental species in the world due to the great diversity of inflorescence form and color. There has been increasing demands for various types of chrysanthemums, such as cut flowers, potted plants and bedding plants. However, the genomic studies of this species have been not extensively conducted relative to other ornamental species due to high levels of polyploidy (2n = 4x =36 or 2n = 6x = 54) and heterozygosity as well as large genome size. In this work, we developed a molecular tool for cultivar identification using simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and investigated genetic diversity in 127 chrysanthemum cultivars. Of the 150 SSR primer pairs tested in this study, 62 primers were obtained from previous studies, while 88 primers were designed using the unigene sequences of C. nankingense and the Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) sequences of C. morifolium in the NCBI database. Thirty SSR primers were selected based on polymorphism and banding patterns in a subset of 8 cultivars and used to amplify the DNA of 127 chrysanthemum cultivars. The UPGMA dendrogram based on these 30 SSR markers showed that most of chrysanthemum cultivars were divided into five clusters. These results will benefit chrysanthemum research community to develop elite cultivars.