Characterization of a highly polymorphic region closely linked to the AST locus and its potential use in breeding of hexaploid persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.)

The pollination-constant, non-astringent (PCNA) type of persimmon is ideal for production because its fruits lose astringency at harvest regardless of seed formation. The PCNA trait in Japanese persimmons is controlled by a single locus, AST, and is recessive to the non-PCNA trait. Because cultivated persimmon is hexaploid, only the homozygous genotype with six recessive alleles is PCNA. A region tightly linked to AST has been used as a DNA marker for breeding. Three non-PCNA (A) alleles have been reported. Here, we show that the region linked to AST is highly polymorphic and includes microsatellites. By analyzing the size of PCR-amplified fragments, we distinguished 12 different A alleles from 14 non-PCNA cultivars and a Chinese PCNA ‘Luotian-tianshi.’ Then, using A fragment size, we assessed A allele inheritance in six non-PCNA × PCNA populations by analyzing segregation of each A allele in a population and segregation of progeny genotypes. By using A allele segregation analysis, we were able to estimate the copy number of each A allele in five non-PCNA parents but not in ‘Amahyakume.’ By analyzing progeny genotype segregation, we were able to estimate the ‘Amahyakume’ genotype. Our approach can be used not only for the selection of PCNA individuals in populations, but also for estimation of the copy number of A alleles in a possible non-PCNA parent. This would enable us to select non-PCNA parents with fewer A alleles, which would segregate more PCNA individuals in crosses with PCNA cultivars.