Application of SSR Markers for the Detection of Metal Tolerance in Plants

The dynamic flow of heavy metals in ecosystems is disturbing the sustainability of environmental quality and the flow of resources in ecosystems. Detection of genotypes with metal-tolerance ability is a prerequisite for mitigating this burning problem, through restoration of degraded ecosystems, progressive crop productivity, and improvement in efficiency of phytoremediation programs. The application of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for tracing metal tolerance in plants is gaining importance among researchers. SSRs, as molecular markers, are highly informative and preferable compared to other molecular markers. It is gaining importance because of its codominant inheritance, polymorphic forms, genome-wide distribution, reliability, and reproducibility. This chapter presents a comprehensive protocol-based approach to facilitate the application of SSR markers for the detection and validation of metal tolerance in plants. The chapter is demonstrating the conceptual background, principles of the study, experimental design, protocol for experimental study, data analysis strategies, practical considerations of data analysis, and its importance for researchers working on plants under stress, molecular breeding, and environmental biotechnology.