ANALYSIS OF GENETIC-LINKAGE IN SALIX EXIGUA NUTT

Genetic linkage was investigated in thirteen isoenzymic loci in Salix exigua NUTT. progenies that conformed to a 2x2 balanced factorial mati ng design. An additional putative sex determination locus system was a lso included in the analysis. Joint segregation was tested in all of t he 91 possible two-locus combinations across different families. Linka ge investigations involved both contingency table chi(2) tests and lik elihood ratio tests (LOD-scores). The recombination fraction (theta), standard errors and confidence intervals were estimated with maximum l ikelihood methods. One tightly linked group including loci Acp-2 and A lp-1 and another possible group involving Aco-2, Cto-1 and Ppo-1 were found. An overall positive interference was detected. There was no ind ication for non-random associations between sexual phenotypes and elec trophoretic loci. Results are discussed in light of the potential appl ication of linkage associations in breeding.