A sensitive and specific PCR-based discrimination of split red vetch and lentil seeds

Abstract

A PCR-based marker technique was developed to discriminate between morphologically similar split seed of vetch (Vicia sativa) and lentil (Lens culinaris subsp. culinaris). Sequence tagged microsatellite site (STMS) markers were more discriminatory than markers produced from the nontranscribed spacer (NTS) region of the 5S ribosomal RNA gene. A sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker, developed from the 5S rRNA NTS region, was sensitive when resolved on agarose. However, the fluorescent-labeled 5S rRNA SCAR marker was unable to discriminate between vetch and lentil, probably because of the low copy number of the marker, and was not visualized on agarose. An STMS primer-pair (PSM..