Development of SCAR Markers Linked to L³ gene in Capsicum

Abstract

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to the L³ locus were developed by applying the bulked segregant analysis method to two doubled haploid (DH) populations in Capsicum. The codominant RAPD markers, E18₂₇₂ and E18₂₈₆, were converted into sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers by molecular cloning and nucleotide sequencing. A PCR analysis using DH (n = 176) and backcross (n = 190) populations revealed that all the SCAR markers, PMFR11₂₆₉, PMFR11₂₈₃ and PMFR21₂₀₀, co-segregated with the original RAPD markers, and were mapped at a distance of 4.0 cM from the L³ locus. Furthermore, after confirmation of their validity in 18 accessions of Capsicum spp. using the codominant SCAR marker pair, PMFR11₂₆₉ and PMFR11₂₈₃, it was suggested that the SCAR markers developed here could become effective in marker-assisted selection programs for the introduction of the L³ gene derived from PI159236 (C. chinense) into sweet pepper for breeding purposes.