Three microsatellite multiplex PCR assays allowing high resolution genotyping of white spruce, Picea glauca

Fifteen previously published microsatellite primer pairs developed for and tested on Canadian white spruce were screened for amplification and polymorphy in Alaskan populations and tested for their suitability in PCR multiplexing. Eleven loci expressing polymorphisms ranging from 7 to 58 alleles were selected for development and optimization of three multiplex assays. Four natural stands containing a total of 1470 trees were used to characterize the selected loci and demonstrate their applicability for genotyping studies and parentage analysis. These assays can be used for studies focusing on population genetics, parentage analysis, provenance research, or individual genetic fingerprinting. The use of multiplex PCR facilitates large-scale studies by simultaneously enabling high resolution and reducing processing time and per sample cost.