DEVELOPMENT OF MOLECULAR MARKERS FOR HIGH OLEIC-ACID CONTENT IN SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS-ANNUUS L.)

In order to achieve the development of molecular markers for the 'high oleic' trait in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), F-2 populations seg regating for this trait were examined. One of the respective populatio ns exhibited a 3:1 segregation ratio for high oleic acid content, bein g the result of only one gene segregating and thus well suited for mol ecular analyses. Employing the 'bulked segregant analysis' in combinat ion with PCR experiments, two primers (OP-AC10, OP-F15) generated diff erentiating bands (AC10-765, F15-690) between the low oleic and high o leic bulks, as well as between the respective F, individuals. Linkage analysis using: the 'Mapmaker' software resulted in genetic distances of 7.2 cM and 7.0 cM to the OL1 locus, respectively. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.