Plant & Animal Genome VI Conference Plant & Animal Genome VI Conference
P45
Mail code 4415, Dept. of Plant and Soil Science, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901
Efficient development of an elite cultivar depends on fast and reliable selection of plants carrying a desired trait. Marker-assisted selection allows for plant selection based on genotype at any stage of growth, at any generation and independent of environment. We have developed a technique for DNA extraction from a slice of soybean seed that is fast, high-throughput, reliable and non-destructive. The extracted DNA was successfully used to PCR-amplify markers linked to the soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS) using the marker Blt 65 (scar) and soybean cyst nematode (SCN) using the markers Satt 38 and Satt 309 (microsallites). The remainder of the seed can be planted and proceeds through normal germination. Analysis of the leaf samples after germination showed no difference in PCR fragment/s between leaf and seed extracted DNA. Using a seed for DNA extraction eliminates germination, tedious manual collection and storage of leaf samples currently used in most DNA extractions. This technique has usefulness in
making early generation selections, thereby saving valuable time and resources. The breeder can select for essential characteristics prior to incurring the expense of field work and breeding decisions can be made with unselected populations during the winter, saving valuable growing time in the spring. We are currently testing this technique with seeds from other legumes and non-legume crops, results from this screening will be presented.