DNA markers for Basmati authentication have the power to distinguish among other global economically relevant rice varieties and to evaluate their genetic background

DNA fingerprinting based on 10 SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers was introduced in the early 2000s for authenticity testing of Basmati rice. Subsequently the addition of 5 SSRs and the fragrance gene fgr have refined the method for routine use. This study evaluated the applicability of the 15-SSR method for authenticity testing of more diverse types of commercially relevant rice that are traded on an international scale. DNA fingerprints of 161 rice varieties from 14 countries across four continents were obtained with this method. Most had distinct marker profiles except for eight near isogenic lines and eight closely related traditional varieties. The fgr marker detected several non-fragrant varieties that were incorrectly labelled as Jasmine fragrant rice, one of which was listed as fragrant and tariff-exempt in the EU Viet Nam Trade Agreement. To assess the authenticity of samples obtained from unofficial sources in the trade, UPGMA algorithm and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) were used for marker-based clustering of samples. Most of the unofficially sourced samples clustered according to their expected geographical and genetic origin, supporting their authenticity. The study supports the broader utility of this 15-SSR test, supplemented by the fgr marker, for global rice variety authentication.