Plant Genome IV Conference Plant Genome IV Conference
Different molecular techniques, such as restriction fragment
length polymorphism (RFLP) as well as polymerase chain reaction
(PCR)-based techniques, have been used with the aim of detecting
molecular markers associated with qualitative or quantitative trait
loci (QTL) of poplar. Special interest has been devoted to those
related to disease resistance among commercially important traits. The
efficiency of the indirect selection depends on the easiness of
detection and the degree of linkage to the resistance locus. Several
high-volume marker technologies have recently been developed. The
selective restriction fragment amplification (SRFA) technique is
considered to be one of the most powerful. This method, developed at
Keygene by M. Zabeau and P. Vos, is used to detect amplified fragment
length polymorphisms (AFLPsR). We decided to use the combination of
SRFA technique and bulked segregant analysis (BSA) as an strategy to
screen rapidly thousands of loci and facilitate the detection of those
adjacent to the locus conferring the resistance to Melampsora
larici-populina (Mr), the most common rust in Europe, in
Populus. Three different genetic AFLP markers tightly linked to
the Mr gene were identified in a hybrid F2 generation derived from a
inter-specific controlled cross between a resistant Populus
deltoides female and a susceptible P. nigra male. Linkage
between those markers and the Mr dominant locus was less than 0.8, 2.4
and 0.8 cM respectively.
This work was supported by a grant from the Flemish Government
(BNO/BB/6/1994) and the EEC AIR program (AIR1-CT92-0349).