Application of ISSR Molecular Markers in Field Crops

Assessing genetic variation in field crops is crucial for modern breeding programs and for understanding mechanisms of stress tolerance. The inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) technique enables amplification of regions between microsatellite loci, offering high reproducibility and discriminatory power. Its applicability across species, cost-effectiveness, and independence from prior DNA sequence information make it a widely adopted method. This chapter systematically outlines the core steps of ISSR analysis, including DNA extraction, PCR optimization, gel electrophoresis, band scoring, and data analysis. Practical recommendations to address technical challenges and enhance experimental efficiency are also provided. Examples from crops such as potato, sage, and Jerusalem artichoke demonstrate the effectiveness of ISSR markers in evaluating genetic diversity and stress adaptation.