Mt. Cervera et al., IDENTIFICATION OF AFLP MOLECULAR MARKERS FOR RESISTANCE AGAINST MELAMPSORA-LARICI-POPULINA IN POPULUS, Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 93(5-6), 1996, pp. 733-737
We have identified AFLP markers tightly linked to the locus conferring
resistance to the leaf rust Melampsora a larici-populina in Populus.
The study was carried out using a hybrid progeny derived from an inter
-specific, controlled cross between a resistant Populus deltoides fema
le and a susceptible P. nigra male. The segregation ratio of resistant
to susceptible plants suggested that a single, dominant locus defined
this resistance. This locus, which we have designated Melampsora resi
stance (Mel), confers resistance against E1, E2, and E3, three differe
nt races of Melampsora larici-populina. In order to identify molecular
markers linked to the Mer locus we decided to combine two different t
echniques : (1) the high-density marker technology, AFLP, which allows
the analysis of thousands of markers in a relatively short time, and
(2) the Bulked Segregant Analysis (BSA), a method which facilitates th
e identification of markers that are tightly linked to the locus of in
terest. We analysed approximately 11,500 selectively amplified DNA fra
gments using 144 primer combinations and identified three markers tigh
tly linked to the Mer locus. The markers can be useful in current bree
ding programs and are the basis for future cloning of the resistance g
ene.