Genome-specific repetitive DNA and RAPD markers for genome identification in Elymus and Hordelymus

We have developed RFLP and RAPD markers specific for the genomes involved in the evolution of Elymus species, i.e., the St, Y, H, P, and W genomes. Two P genome specific repetitive DNA sequences, pAgc1 (350 bp) and pAgc30 (458 bp), and three W genome specific sequences, pAuv3 (221 bp), pAuv7 (200 bp), and pAuv13 (207 bp), were isolated from the genomes of Agropyron cristatum and Australopyrum velutinum, respectively. Attempts to find Y genome specific sequences were not successful. Primary-structure analysis demonstrated that pAgc1 (P genome) and pAgc30 (P genome) share 81% similarity over a 227-bp stretch. The three W genome specific sequences were also highly homologous. Sequence comparison analysis revealed no homology to sequences in the EMBL-GenBank databases. Three to four genome-specific RAPD markers were found for each of the five genomes. Genome-specific bands were cloned and demonstrated to be mainly low-copy sequences present in various Triticeae species. The RFLP and RAPD markers obtained, together with the previously described H and St genome specific clones pHch2 and pP1Taq2.5 and the Ns genome specific RAPD markers were used to investigate the genomic composition of a few Elymus species and Hordelymus europaeus, whose genome formulas were unknown. Our results demonstrate that only three of eight Elymus species examined (the tetraploid species Elymus grandis and the hexaploid species Elymus caesifolius and Elymus borianus) really belong to Elymus.