DNA profiling of disputed chilli samples (Capsicum annum) using ISSR-PCR and FISSR-PCR marker assays

A case of marketing of spurious seeds of chilli, Capsicum annum in the brand name of an elite variety referred to us from an Indian court of law, for identification is described here. The highly reproducible molecular marker assays, inter simple sequence repeat polymerase chain reaction [ISSR-PCR] and FISSR-PCR (for fluorescent ISSR-PCR) were used for differentiating the four disputed chilli samples. A total number of 17 ISSR anchored primers, which included nine di-, and eight tri-nucleotide primers were used for the analysis. The ISSR-PCR products were separated on a 2% agarose gel. A total of 212 and 288 bands were resolved by seven di- and eight tri-nucleotide primers, respectively, with an average of 30 bands per primer. Five out of nine dinucleotide primers and four out of eight trinucleotide primers could unambiguously differentiate all the four disputed chilli samples. The sensitivity and informativeness of the ISSR-PCR assay were further enhanced by the use of FISSR-PCR technique. The FISSR-PCR assay revealed a total number of 566 bands using three tri- and one di-nucleotide primers with an average of 141 bands per primer. These four primers could reliably distinguish all the four disputed samples unambiguously. In developing countries like India, violation of Plant Breeder's Rights is a major concern of law. The present report is, therefore, a step to protect the Plant Breeder's Rights by making use of reliable and modern DNA technologies.