USE OF RFLP MARKERS FOR GENETIC-LINKAGE ANALYSIS OIL PERCENTAGE IN SUNFLOWER SEED

Increased seed oil percentage is an important objective when breeding for high oil yield in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Although some researchers have investigated the genetics and heritability of sunflow er oil percentage, most analyses were conducted on the oil percentage in the whole seed through conventional breeding and biometric procedur es. The primary objective of this research was to identify restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) linked to quantitative trait lo ci affecting seed oil percentage, kernel oil percentage, and kernel pe rcentage. An F-2 Population consisting of 289 individuals was produced by crossing two inbred lines that differ for the traits. The RFLP and trait data were obtained directly from self-pollinated F-2 plants. Th e RFLP markers (identifying 201 codominant loci) located six regions r epresenting 57% of the genetic variation of seed oil percentage. Two o f these regions were associated with kernel oil percentage, two with k ernel percentage, and two with both components. Additive gene action w as predominant for seed oil percentage and its components.