Aflp markers tightly linked to the sex locus in Asparagus officinalis L.

Nine AFLP markers linked to the sex locus in Asparagus officinalis L. have been identified by non-radioactive AFLP technique and bulked segregant analysis. A composite map of one F₂ and two F₁ populations identified three very tightly linked markers. These markers did not give recombinants in the three different populations and mapped 0.5, 0.7 and 1 cM to the sex locus. Codominant scoring of the markers in the F₂ population from a selfed andromonoecious plant could distinguish the XX, XY and YY asparagus plants. The AFLP markers were isolated from the gel and cloned into plasmid vectors. The marker E41M50, which is a low-copy sequence and did not give any recombinants in the screened populations, detected polymorphism between female and male plants when used as RFLP probe. The AFLP markers we obtained are important to plant breeding, particularly in the development of sex specific PCR primers that could be used in the screening of different asparagus plants at the seedling stage. They are likewise important in the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying sex determination and differentiation in this species.     

Construction of a high-resolution linkage map of Rfd1, a restorer-of-fertility locus for cytoplasmic male sterility conferred by DCGMS cytoplasm in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) using synteny between radish and Arabidopsis genomes

Cytoplasmic male sterility caused by Dongbu cytoplasmic and genic male-sterility (DCGMS) cytoplasm and its nuclear restorer-of-fertility locus (Rfd1) with a linked molecular marker (A137) have been reported in radish (Raphanus sativus L.). To construct a linkage map of the Rfd1 locus, linked amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were screened using bulked segregant analysis. A 220-bp linked AFLP fragment sequence from radish showed homology with an Arabidopsis coding sequence. Using this Arabidopsis gene sequence, a simple PCR marker (A220) was developed. The A137 and A220 markers flanked the Rfd1 locus. Two homologous Arabidopsis genes with both marker sequences were positioned on Arabidopsis chromosome-3 with an interval of 2.4 Mb. To integrate the Rfd1 locus into a previously reported expressed sequence tag (EST)-simple sequence repeat (SSR) linkage map, the radish EST sequences located in three syntenic blocks within the 2.4-Mb interval were used to develop single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for tagging each block. The SNP marker in linkage group-2 co-segregated with male fertility in an F(2) population. Using radish ESTs positioned in linkage group-2, five intron length polymorphism (ILP) markers and one cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker were developed and used to construct a linkage map of the Rfd1 locus. Two closely linked markers delimited the Rfd1 locus within a 985-kb interval of Arabidopsis chromosome-3. Synteny between the radish and Arabidopsis genomes in the 985-kb interval were used to develop three ILP and three CAPS markers. Two ILP markers further delimited the Rfd1 locus to a 220-kb interval of Arabidopsis chromosome-3.     

Genetic mapping of the evergrowing gene in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch

In temperate locations, terminal apices on evergrowing (also called evergreen) peach trees keep growing in winter until killed by low temperatures, while the lateral buds go into dormancy. A recessive allele of a single gene (evergrowing or evg) controls this trait in peach. The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique and bulked segregant analysis were applied to construct a local genetic linkage map for the evg gene from the cross Empress op op dwarf x Evergrowing (P.I. 442380). This map, comprising nine AFLP markers and the evg locus, covers a total genetic distance of 79.3 cM. Four dominant AFLP markers (EAT/MCAC, ETT/MCCA2, EAT/MCTA, and ETT/MACC) were linked to the evg locus at distances of 1, 5.3, 6.7, and 11.7 cM, respectively. EAT/MCAC and EAT/MCTA were converted into polymorphic sequence-tagged sites. Microsatellite markers in the evg region were developed from peach bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones that hybridized to the AFLP marker fragments. Using three microsatellite anchor markers (pchgms12, pchgms17, and pchgms19), the local genetic linkage map was integrated into one minor linkage group of a previously constructed peach rootstock genetic linkage map. Three AFLP markers from the rootstock genetic linkage map were found linked to the evg locus.     

Identification of a BIBAC clone that co-segregates with the petunia Restorer of fertility (Rf) gene

Molecular markers closely linked to the Restorer of fertility (Rf) locus in petunia were sought by conducting a bulk segregant analysis. The co-segregation of markers and Rf was tested on a large BC1 population produced from two different parental lines carrying Rf. The recombination frequency between OP704 and ECCA/MACT, the two most distal markers utilized in the fine-scale mapping. was significantly different in populations derived from parents that carry different nuclear backgrounds. The fine mapping identified an amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker that co-segregates with Rf. A petunia BIBAC library (four genome equivalents), with an average insert size of 70 kb, was constructed and screened with the linked marker. A contiguous map was constructed from three different BIBAC clones that hybridized to the marker. As a result, we have identified a 37.5-kb BIBAC clone that co-segregates with Rf.     

A new fertility restorer locus linked closely to the Rfo locus for cytoplasmic male sterility in radish

In this study, we have investigated a new fertility restorer (Rf) locus for cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in radish. We have obtained a CMS-Rf system consisting of sterile line '9802A1', maintainer line '9802B1' and restorer line '9802H'. F(1) plants from cross between sterile line '9802A1' and restorer line '9802H' were all male fertile, self pollination of F(1) plants produced an F(2) segregating population consisting of 600 individuals. The segregating population was found to fit a segregation ratio 3:1 for male fertile and sterile types, indicating that male fertility is restored by a single dominant gene (termed Rfo2) in the CMS-Rf system. Based on the DNA sequence of Rfo/Rfk1 (AJ535623), just one full length gene in the sterile line '9802A1', in the restorer line '9802H' and in the male fertile line '2006H', was cloned, respectively. The three sequences correspond to the same gene with two alleles: Rfob in '9802H' and rfob in '9802A1' and '2006H'. These two alleles differ from Rfo/Rfk1 and rfk1 (AJ535624) alleles by two synonymous base substitutions, respectively. Based on the differences between the Rfob and rfob genes, one PCR-based marker was developed, and designated Marker 1, which is identical to the corresponding region of Rfob by sequence analysis. In the F(2) segregating population described above, the Marker 1 was present in 5 sterile plants and in 453 fertile plants, absent in 4 fertile plants and in 138 sterile plants, and was found to fit a segregation ratio 3:1 indicating that Rfob was single copy in '9802H'. Linkage analysis showed that the Rfo2 locus for our CMS-Rf system was distant from the Rfo locus by about 1.6 cM. The sterile line '9802A1' was pollinated by the male fertile line '2006H' and the resulting F(1) plants were all male fertile. These results indicated that the male fertility of radish CMS can be restored by a new Rf locus, which linked tightly to the Rfo locus.     

Marker-based cloning of the region containing the UhAvr1 avirulence gene from the basidiomycete barley pathogen Ustilago hordei

Race-cultivar specialization during the interaction of the basidiomycete smut pathogen Ustilago hordei with its barley host was described in the 1940s. Subsequent genetic analyses revealed the presence of dominant avirulence genes in the pathogen that conform to the gene-for-gene theory. This pathosystem therefore presents an opportunity for the molecular genetic characterization of fungal genes controlling avirulence. We performed a cross between U. hordei strains to obtain 54 progeny segregating for three dominant avirulence genes on three differential barley cultivars. Bulked segregant analysis was used to identify RAPD and AFLP markers tightly linked to the avirulence gene UhAvr1. The UhAvr1 gene is located in an area containing repetitive DNA and this region is undetectable in cosmid libraries prepared from the avirulent parental strain. PCR and hybridization probes developed from the linked markers were therefore used to identify cosmid clones from the virulent (Uhavr1) parent. By walking on Uhavr1-linked cosmid clones, a nonrepetitive, nearby probe was found that recognized five overlapping BAC clones spanning 170 kb from the UhAvr1 parent. A contig of the clones in the UhAvr1 region was constructed and selected probes were used for RFLP analysis of the segregating population. This approach genetically defined an approximately 80-kb region that carries the UhAvr1 gene and provided cloned sequences for subsequent genetic analysis. UhAvr1 represents the first avirulence gene cloned from a basidiomycete plant pathogen.     

A high-resolution map of the H1 locus harbouring resistance to the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis

The resistance gene H1 confers resistance to the potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis and is located at the distal end of the long arm of chromosome V of potato. For marker enrichment of the H1 locus, a bulked segregant analysis (BSA) was carried out using 704 AFLP primer combinations. A second source of markers tightly linked to H1 is the ultra-high-density (UHD) genetic map of the potato cross SH × RH. This map has been produced with 387 AFLP primer combinations and consists of 10,365 AFLP markers in 1,118 bins (). Comparing these two methods revealed that BSA resulted in one marker/cM and the UHD map in four markers/cM in the H1 interval. Subsequently, a high-resolution genetic map of the H1 locus has been developed using a segregating F₁ SH × RH population consisting of 1,209 genotypes. Two PCR-based markers were designed at either side of the H1 gene to screen the 1,209 genotypes for recombination events. In the high-resolution genetic map, two of the four co-segregating AFLP markers could be separated from the H1 gene. Marker EM1 is located at a distance of 0.2 cM, and marker EM14 is located at a distance of 0.8 cM. The other two co-segregating markers CM1 (in coupling) and EM15 (in repulsion) could not be separated from the H1 gene.Communicated by J.G. Wenzel     

A genetic and physical map of the region containing PLASTOCHRON1, a heterochronic gene,in rice ( Oryza sativa L.)

The rice heterochronic gene plastochron1, pla1, shows shorter plastochron and ectopic expression of the vegetative program during the rice reproductive phase resulting in aberrant panicle formation. A genetic and physical map was constructed to isolate the causal gene for the pla1 syndrome. Small-scale mapping was carried out to determine the approximate map position of the pla1 locus, and then a high-resolution genetic map was made for pla1-1, one of the pla1 alleles, using an F₂ population comprising 578 pla1-1 homozygous plants. In a high-resolution genetic map, the pla1-1 locus was found to map between RFLP markers C961 and R1738A on chromosome 10, within a 3.6-cM genetic distance. A physical map encompassing the pla1-1 locus was constructed by overlapping Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) clones through chromosome walking. PCR-based RFLP markers from BAC-end clones were developed and mapped relative to the pla1 locus. Physical map construction using BAC clones indicated that a BAC clone, B44A10 (167-kb), contained the pla1 locus within 74-kb corresponding to a 0.52-cM genetic distance. Gene prediction of 74-kb region carrying the pla1 locus suggested several candidate genes for the pla1 gene. Identification of a candidate gene for pla1 will be made by sequence analysis of allele variation and cDNA screening.     

Generation and mapping of SCAR and CAPS markers linked to the seed coat color gene in Brassica napus using a genome-walking technique.

The yellow seed coat trait in No. 2127-17, a resynthesized purely yellow Brassica napus line, is controlled by a single partially dominant gene, Y. A double-haploid population derived from the F1 of No. 2127-17 x 'ZY821' was used to map the seed coat color phenotype. A combination of AFLP analysis and bulked segregant analysis identified 18 AFLP markers linked to the seed coat color trait. The 18 AFLP markers were mapped to a chromosomal region of 37.0 cM with an average of 2.0 cM between adjacent markers. Two markers, AFLP-K and AFLP-H, bracketed the Y locus in an interval of 1.0 cM, such that each was 0.5 cM away from the Y locus. Two other markers, AFLP-A and AFLP-B, co-segregated with the seed color gene. For ease of use in breeding programs, these 4 most tightly linked AFLP markers were converted into reliable PCR-based markers. SCAR-K, which was derived from AFLP-K, was assigned to linkage group 9 (N9) of a B. napus reference map consisting of 150 commonly used SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers. Furthermore, 2 SSR markers (Na14-E08 and Na10-B07) linked to SCAR-K on the reference map were reversely mapped to the linkage map constructed in this study, and also showed linkage to the Y locus. These linked markers would be useful for the transfer of the dominant allele Y from No. 2127-17 to elite cultivars using a marker-assisted selection strategy and would accelerate the cloning of the seed coat color gene.     

Genetic characterization of a pentatricopeptide repeat protein gene,orf687, that restores fertility in the cytoplasmic male-sterile Kosena radish

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in plants is a maternally inherited inability to produce functional pollen, and is often associated with mitochondrial DNA abnormalities. Specific nuclear loci that suppress CMS, termed as restorers of fertility (Rf), have been identified. Previously, we identified an Rf for the CMS Kosena radish and used genetic analysis to identify the locus and create a contig covering the critical interval. To identify the Rf gene, we introduced each of the lambda and cosmid clones into the CMS Brassica napus and scored for fertility restoration. Fertility restoration was observed when one of the lambda clones was introduced into the CMS B. napus. Furthermore, introduction of a 4.7-kb BamHI/HpaI fragment of the lambda clone is enough to restore male fertility. A cDNA strand isolated from a positive fragment contained a predicted protein (ORF687) of 687 amino acids comprising 16 repeats of the 35-amino acid pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) motif. Kosena CMS radish plants were found to express an allele of this gene possessing four substituted amino acids in the second and third repeats of the PPR suggesting that the domains formed by these repeats in ORF687 are essential for fertility restoration. Protein levels of the Kosena CMS-associated mitochondrial protein ORF125 were considerably reduced in plants in which fertility was restored, although mRNA expression was normal. Regarding the possible role for PPR-containing proteins in the regulation of the mitochondrial gene, we propose that ORF687 functions either directly or indirectly to lower the levels of ORF125, resulting in the restoration of fertility in CMS plants.     

Development of a CAPS marker for the Pvr4 locus: a tool for pyramiding potyvirus resistance genes in pepper.

The Pvr4 resistance gene in pepper confers a complete resistance to the three pathotypes of potato virus Y (PVY) and to pepper mottle virus (PepMoV). In order to use this gene in a marker-assisted selection (MAS) program and to permit the pyramiding of several potyvirus resistance genes in the same cultivar, tightly linked amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were obtained by the bulked segregant analysis method. Eight linked AFLP markers were mapped in an interval from 2.1 +/- 0.8 to 13.8 +/- 2.9 cM around this locus. The closest codominant AFLP marker was converted into a codominant CAPS (cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence) marker using data from the alignment of the two allele sequences. We have further characterized the relevance of the CAPS marker for MAS programs in different pepper breeding lines.     

Genetic and physical mapping of Avr1a in Phytophthora sojae

The interaction between soybean and the phytopathogenic oomycete Phytophthora sojae is controlled by host resistance (Rps) genes and pathogen avirulence (Avr) genes. We have mapped the Avr1a locus in F(2) populations derived from four different P. sojae races. Four RAPD and nine AFLP markers linked to Avr1a were initially identified. Nine markers were used to compare genetic linkage maps of the Avr1a locus in two distinct F(2) populations. Distorted segregation ratios favoring homozygous genotypes were noted in both crosses. Segregation analysis of all the markers in one F(2) population of 90 progeny generated a map of 113.2 cM encompassing Avr1a, with one marker cosegregating with the gene. The cosegregating DNA marker was used to isolate P. sojae BAC clones and construct a physical map covering 170 kb, from which additional DNA markers were developed. Three markers occurring within the BAC contig were mapped in an enlarged population of 486 F(2) progeny. Avr1a was localized to a 114-kb interval, and an average physical to genetic distance ratio of 391 kb/cM was calculated for this region. This work provides a basis for the positional cloning of Avr1a.     

Genetic mapping of the dominant albino locus in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Albinism in animals is generally a recessive trait, but in Japan a dominant oculocutaneous albino (OCA) mutant strain has been isolated in rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss). After confirming that this trait is not due to a tyrosinase gene mutation that causes OCA1 (tyrosinase-negative OCA), we combined the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique with bulked segregant analysis (BSA) to map the gene involved in dominant oculocutaneous albinism. Four AFLP markers tightly linked to the dominant albino locus were identified. One of these markers was codominant and we have it converted into a GGAGT-repeat microsatellite marker, OmyD-AlbnTUF. Using this pentanucleotide-repeat DNA marker, the dominant albino locus has been mapped on linkage group G of a reference linkage map of rainbow trout. The markers identified here will facilitate cloning of the dominant albino gene in rainbow trout and contribute to a better understanding of tyrosinase-negative OCA in animals.     

Isolation of the Arabidopsis ABI3 gene by positional cloning.

Arabidopsis abi3 mutants are altered in various aspects of seed development and germination that reflect a decreased responsiveness to the hormone abscisic acid. The ABI3 gene has been isolated by positional cloning. A detailed restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) map of the abi3 region was constructed. An RFLP marker closely linked to the abi3 locus was identified, and by analyzing an overlapping set of cosmid clones containing this marker, the abi3 locus was localized within a 35-kb region. An 11-kb subfragment was then shown to complement the mutant phenotype in transgenic plants, thereby further delimiting the position of the locus. A candidate ABI3 gene was identified within this fragment as being expressed in developing fruits. The primary structure of the encoded protein was deduced from sequence analysis of a corresponding cDNA clone. In the most severe abi3-4 allele, the size of this predicted protein was reduced by 40% due to the presence of a point mutation that introduced a premature stop codon. The predicted ABI3 protein displays discrete regions of high similarity to the maize viviparous-1 protein.     

Fine-mapping of the BaMMV, BaYMV-1 and BaYMV-2 resistance of barley (Hordeum vulgare) accession PI1963

Barley yellow mosaic disease caused by the bymoviruses barley mild mosaic virus (BaMMV) and barley yellow mosaic virus (BaYMV) is one of the economically most important diseases of winter barley in Europe. In European barley breeding programmes, resistance is currently due to only two genes—rym4, which is effective against viruses BaMMV and BaYMV-1, and rym5, which is effective against BaYMV-2. Diversification of resistance is therefore an important task. Because the accession PI1963 confers immunity against all European strains of barley yellow mosaic disease and is not allelic to rym5, we have attempted to develop closely linked markers in order to facilitate the efficient introgression of this resistance into adapted germplasm. By means of restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, we located a gene locus for resistance to BaMMV, BaYMV-1 and BaYMV-2 of PI1963 on chromosome 4HL using a mapping population (W757) comprising 57 doubled haploid (DH) lines. Subsequent tests for allelism indicated that the BaMMV resistance gene in PI1963 is allelic to rym11. Two DH populations, IPK1 and IPK2, comprising 191 and 161 DH lines, respectively, were derived from the initial mapping population W757 and used for further analysis. As random amplified polymorphic DNA development did not facilitate the identification of more closely linked markers, simple sequence repeat (SSR) analyses were conducted. For population IPK1, the closest SSRs detected were Bmac181 and Bmag353, which flank the gene at 2.1 cM and 2.7 cM, respectively. For the IPK2 population, the SSR markers HVM3 and Bmag353 are located proximally at 2.5 cM and distally at 8.2 cM, respectively. In order to develop markers more tightly linked to rym11, a targeted amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker identification approach was adopted using bulks comprising lines carrying recombination events proximal and distal to the target interval. Using this approach we identified six AFLP markers closely linked to rym11, with the two markers, E56M32 and E49M33, co-segregating with rym11 in both populations. The SSRs and AFLPs identified in this study represent useful tools for marker-assisted selection.     

Chromosome landing at the Arabidopsis TORNADO1 locus using an AFLP-based strategy

The Arabidopsis tornado1 (trn1) mutation causes severe dwarfism combined with twisted growth of all organs. We present a chromosome landing strategy, using amplified restriction fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker technology, for the isolation of the TRN1 gene. The recessive trn1 mutation was identified in a C24 transgenic line and is located 5?cM from a T-DNA insertion. We mapped the TRN1 locus to the bottom half of chromosome 5 relative to visible and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. Recombinant classes within a 3-cM region around TRN1 were used to build a high-resolution map in this region, using the AFLP technique. Approximately 300 primer combinations have been used to test about 26?000 fragments for polymorphisms. Seventeen of these AFLP markers were identified in the 3-cM region around TRN1. These markers were mapped within this region using individual recombinants. Four of these AFLP markers co-segregate with TRN1 whereas one maps at one recombinant below TRN1. We isolated and cloned three of these AFLP markers. These markers identified two yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones, containing the RFLP marker above and the AFLP marker below TRN1, demonstrating that these YACs span the TRN1 locus and that chromosome landing has been achieved, using an AFLP-based strategy.     

High-resolution genetic and physical mapping of the region containing the Bs2 resistance gene of pepper

The Bs2 resistance gene of pepper confers resistance against the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria. As a first step toward isolation of the Bs2 gene, molecular markers tightly linked to the gene were identified by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis of near-isogenic lines. Markers flanking the locus were identified and a high-resolution linkage map of the region was developed. One AFLP marker, A2, was found to cosegregate with the locus, while two others, F1 and B3, flank the locus and are within 0.6 cM. Physical mapping of the A2 and F1 markers indicates that these markers may be within 150 kb of each other. Together, these results indicate that the Bs2 region may be cloned either by chromosome walker or landing. The linked markers were also used to characterize gamma-irradiation-induced mutants at the Bs2 locus. Received: 15 January 1999 / Accepted: 11 May 1999     

A molecular genetic map and electrophoretic karyotype of the plant pathogenic fungus Cochliobolus sativus

A molecular genetic map was constructed and an electrophoretic karyotype was resolved for Cochliobolus sativus, the causal agent of spot blotch of barley and wheat. The genetic map consists of 27 linkage groups with 97 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, 31 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers, two polymerase chain reaction amplified markers, the mating type locus (CsMAT), and a gene (VHv1) conditioning high virulence on barley cv. Bowman. These linkage groups covered a map distance of 849 cM. The virulence gene VHv1 cosegregated with six AFLP markers and was mapped on one of the major linkage groups. Fifteen chromosome-sized DNAs were resolved in C. sativus isolates ND93-1 and ND9OPr with contour-clamped homogeneous electric field (CHEF) electrophoresis combined with telomere probe analysis of comigrating chromosome-sized DNAs. The chromosome sizes ranged from 1.25 to 3.80 Mbp, and the genome size of the fungus was estimated to be approximately 33 Mbp. By hybridizing genetically mapped RFLP and AFLP markers to CHEF blots, 25 of the 27 linkage groups were assigned to specific chromosomes. The barley-specific virulence locus VHv1 was localized on a chromosome of 2.80 Mbp from isolate ND9OPr in the CHEF gel. The total map length of the fungus was estimated to be at least 1,329 cM based on the map distance covered by the linked markers and the estimated gaps. Therefore, the physical to genetic distance ratio is approximately 25 kb/cM. Construction of a high-resolution map around target loci will facilitate the cloning of the genes conferring virulence and other characters in C. sativus by a map-based cloning strategy.     

High-resolution genetic map of Nb,a gene that confers hypersensitive resistance to potato virus X in Solanum tuberosum

Nb is a single dominant gene in potato that confers hypersensitive resistance to potato virus X (PVX) isolates from strain groups 1 and 2. Genetic and molecular analyses showed that Nb is located on the upper arm of chromosome V and forms part of a cluster of resistance genes encoding specificities to many different pathogens. We describe the genetical localisation of molecular markers tightly linked to the Nb locus and the development PCR-based markers suitable for isolation of the Nb resistance gene by positional cloning. A bulked segregant approach was applied to identify polymorphic AFLP markers tightly linked to the Nb locus. These markers were mapped in a population of segregating S1 progeny (1,300 plants) from a self-pollinated potato cultivar, Pentland Ivory. From this analysis, Nb was placed in an interval of 0.76 cM, flanked by the AFLP markers GM339 and GM637. Recombinant PVX strains carrying different combinations of avirulence genes were used in biological assays to show that Nb was also present in potato cv. Cara but was masked by the extreme PVX resistance conferred by the Rx gene. PCR-based screening of a Cara genomic BAC library with markers closest to the Nb locus identified a new marker tightly linked to Nb.     

Genetic linkage maps of the chromosomal regions associated with apomictic and sexual modes of reproduction in Cenchrus ciliaris

Cenchrus ciliaris reproduces by apomixis, an asexual mode of reproduction through seeds. Genetic analysis of apomixis in this species revealed that this trait is dominant and that a chromosomal region of more than 11?Mb controls this trait, which is hemizygous, heterochromatic and recombinationally suppressed. A novel F₂ mapping population comprising 86 individuals segregating for apomictic and sexual modes of reproduction, generated after crossing a new set of obligate apomictic and sexual parents (IG-96-3108 and IG-96-443), was used in this study to identify a large number of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers linked to these traits. Out of 180 polymorphic AFLP markers, 42 and 29 markers associated with apomixis and sexuality were mapped around Apo and Sexual loci, respectively. Markers 20G, 18G and 19G showed close linkage to Apo locus at map distance of only 1.1?cM, while 12FS, 4HS and 12b showed tight linkage to Sexual locus at map distance of 1.7?cM. Markers clustered around Apo and Sexual loci on either side. A large number of recombining AFLP markers were mapped around both loci, indicating a minor role of suppression of recombination. Four anchor markers from earlier studies also clustered around Apo locus, validating the present genetic linkage map. In addition, seven and one SCAR markers closely linked to Apo and Sexual loci were also developed, which could be used for fine mapping of the loci.