Introduction:

For the rapid and accurate genetic identification and authentication of living organisms, improved random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fragment based development of sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers is an important genetic technique.

Objective:

This study aimed to develop SCAR markers for perennial herb Eclipta prostrate (E. prostrate).

Methods:

Here the RAPD fragments by improved RAPD amplification with primers A11 and N-7 for E. prostrate were cloned into pGEX-T vector, and PCR amplification identified the positive clones. After the enzymatic digestion, they were sequenced with Sanger sequencing.

Results:

Two SCAR markers were developed, which were very specific to E. prostrate, not found in Penthorum chinense Pursh(P. chinense). The nucleotide sequence search by BLAST GenBank database showed that they are novel in E. prostrate, therefore they were deposited in Genbank with accession number KX671034, KX671035. The markers did not show any identity to other species.

Conclusions:

Thus, in this study two specific SCAR markers were developed for genetically distinguishing and identifying the plant species E. prostrate from herb P. chinense and others.