Abstract
Azolla is commonly found in rice paddy fields where it serves as a biofertilizer and green manure. The conventional methods of identification of Azolla based on the presence or absence of glochidia on the spores is difficult and cumbersome. In the present study, therefore, molecular markers based on specific sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) primers were developed from the nucleotide sequence of specific RAPD markers. A single distinct and highly resolved band of 390, 182, 490 and 709 bp, respectively was obtained for Azolla rubra, A. pinnata, A. filiculoides and A. microphylla. This confirms the specificity of SCAR primer for these species. Thus, the development of SCAR marker may aid in the accurate and precise identification of different species of Azolla without ambiguity.