Linkage mapping of DNA markers generated with specific and non-specific gene primers in soybean

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used extensively in the constructi on of linkage maps for many cultivated crops including soybean, [Glycine ma x (L.) Merr]. In this study, four sets of oligonucleotide primer pairs of k nown genes (pearl millet Adh 1, nodule specific proline-rich protein, Droso phila homeobox, heat shock protein), several different combinations from ki ts A, D, E, and J of arbitrary primers and five primer pairs of soybean sim ple sequence repeats of varying length (Satt 9, Satt 20, Satt 42, Satt 64, and Satt 30) were utilized in PCR to identify molecular markers which were then used to construct a genetic linkage map. DNA for the PCR reactions was isolated from 65 recombinant inbred soybean lines resulting from crossing PI 290,136 and BARC-2 (Rj(4)), followed by self-pollination for seven gener ations without selection. Mapmaker 3.0, a computer package, was used for co nstruction of the linkage map. A total of 43 polymorphic markers were ident ified; 30 markers were linked and distributed among 5 linkage groups while 13 markers were unlinked. Arbitrary primers revealed more polymorphisms tha n specific primers. A combination of arbitrary primers A5 and A18 revealed the maximum number of polymorphic bands. Five observed linkage groups can b e expanded in future soybean research by using additional markers.