Development of 15 novel microsatellite markers from cellulose synthase genes in Populus tomentosa (Salicaceae)

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers from cellulose synthase genes were developed for the Chinese white poplar, Populus tomentosa , to investigate the genetic diversity of wild germplasm resources and to further identify favorable alleles significantly associated with wood cellulose content. • Methods and Results: Fifteen microsatellite markers were developed in P. tomentosa by deep sequencing of cellulose synthase genes. Polymorphisms were evaluated in 460 individuals from three climatic regions of P. tomentosa , and all 15 markers revealed polymorphic variation. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to nine with an average of 4.3; the observed and expected heterozygosity per locus varied from 0.029 to 0.962 and from 0.051 to 0.713, respectively. • Conclusions: These polymorphic markers will potentially be useful for genetic mapping and in molecular breeding for improvement of wood fiber traits in Populus .