Plant & Animal Genomes XIV Conference Plant & Animal Genomes XIV ConferenceJanuary 14-18, 2006
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA
Gregor Bindler1 , Irfan Gunduz2 , Martin Ganal3 , Rutger van der Hoeven1 , Jörg Plieske3 , Luca Rossi1 , Ferruccio Gadani1 , Paolo Donini1
Nicotiana tabacum L., an amphidiploid species (2n = 48), originates from a hybridization event between Nicotiana sylvestris Spegazzini and Comes, and Nicotiana tomentosiformis Goodspeed. The lack of molecular markers and a genetic map has held back research on many aspects of tobacco’s agronomic and chemical properties. A first genetic map is presented, based on a mapping population derived from a cross between the varieties Red Russian (RR) and Hicks Broad Leaf (HBL, a Flue-cured tobacco type). Data generated as part of the Tobacco Genome Initiative were used to identify microsatellite-containing DNA sequences as candidate target sites for development of Simple Sequence Repeat markers (SSR). SSR specific primers were tested for the presence of polymorphisms in a panel of 16 tobacco varieties, including the parents of the mapping population. Out of all tested primer pairs, about 41% of SSR markers were functional and polymorphic between the two parents of the mapping population. For a subset of the SSR markers on the map, the ancestral species were assayed for presence or absence of an amplified product. From this, a pattern is emerging that is suggestive of the origin of the linkage groups to be derived from either N. sylvertris or N tomentosiformis, and it allows for the identification of potential translocation events. These findings largely correspond with what is known from cytogenetic studies on genome structure and organization in Nicotiana tabacum. Two easily scorable morphological traits, leaf type (sessile, semi-petiolate or petiolate) and flower color were mapped for demonstration purposes.