quick methodology to identify sexual seedlings in citrus breeding programs using SSR markers

• Published in: Euphytica 2000-01, Vol.112 (1), p.89-94
• Main Authors: Ruiz, C, Paz Breto, M, Asins, M.J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Citrus; Cultivars: description, identification, tests, catalogs; embryo (plant); Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene polymorphism; genetic markers; genetic polymorphism; Genetics; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; genotype; Genotypes; Interspecific hybridization; Isoenzymes; isozymes; Labeling; Markers; Methodology; microsatellite repeats; Microsatellites; nucellar clones; Plant breeding; Plant reproduction; Polymorphism; Populations; Seedlings; Seeds; selfing; Simple sequence repeats; Tubes; Varietal selection. Specialized plant breeding, plant breeding aims; zygote
• ISSN: 0014-2336; 1573-5060
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1003992719598

In citrus breeding and genetics, it is very important to distinguish between zygotic and nucellar seedlings in order to eliminate unwanted genotypes. Usually, isozyme marker shave been employed to determine the genetic origin of young plants. In this work we propose the use of SSR markers as an alternative methodology and compare them with isozymes in this kind of screenings. Two different populations were analysed: one derives from an interspecific cross and the other from selfing. We conclude that, in most cases, microsatellites are more efficient than isozymic markers to identify the sexual origin of citrus seedlings, given their higher level of polymorphism and the scarce number of polymorphic isozymes in some populations. We describe a quick and efficient methodology for SSR analysis, including a fast DNA extraction in microcentrifuge tubes, and visualization through silver staining, which eliminates the need for a labelling step.