A GENETIC-LINKAGE MAP OF AZUKI-BEAN CONSTRUCTED WITH MOLECULAR AND MORPHOLOGICAL MARKERS USING AN INTERSPECIFIC POPULATION (VIGNA-ANGULARISX VIGNA-NAKASHIMAE)

A genetic linkage map of azuki bean (Vigna angularis) was constructed with molecular and morphological markers using an F-2 population of an interspecific cross between azuki bean and its wild relative, V. naka shimae. In total, 132 markers (108 RAPD, 19 RFLP and five morphologica l markers) were mapped in 14 linkage groups covering 1250 cM; ten rema ined unlinked. The clusters of markers showing distorted segregation w ere found in linkage groups 2,8 and 12. By comparing the azuki linkage map with those of mungbean and cowpea, using 20 RFLP common markers, some sets of the markers were found to belong to the same linkage grou ps of the respective maps, indicating that these linkage blocks are co nserved among the three Vigna species. This map provides a tool for ma rker-assisted selection and for studies of genome organization in Vign a species.