Towards a saturated sorghum map using RFLP and AFLP markers

A near-saturated sorghum genetic linkage map was produced using RFLP, AFLP and morphological markers. First a composite, essentially RFLP-based geneti c linkage map was obtained from analyses of two recombinant inbred populati ons. This map includes 343 loci for 11 linkage groups spanning 1352 cM. Sin ce this map was constructed with many previously mapped heterologous probes , it offers a good basis for synteny studies. Separately, an AFLP map was o btained from the analysis of 168 bands revealed from 12 primer pair combina tions. It includes 137 loci for 11 linkage groups spanning 849 cM. Taking i nto account the different data sets, we constructed a combined genetic link age map including 443 loci spanning 1899 cM. Two main features are to be no ted: (1) the distribution of AFLPs along the genome is not uniform; (2) an important stretching of the former core map is induced after adding the AFL Ps.