Construction of Genetic Linkage Map Based on SSR Markers in Peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.)

Molecular genetic maps of crop species can be used in a variety of ways in breeding and genomic research such as identification and mapping of genes and quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for morphological, physiological and economic traits of crop species. However, a comprehensive genetic linkage map for cultivated peanut has not yet been developed due to the extremely low frequency of DNA polymorphism in cultivated peanut. In this study, 142 recombinant inbred lines （RILs） derived from a cross between Yueyou 13 and Zhenzhuhei were used as mapping population in peanut （Arachis hypogaea L.）. A total 652 pairs of genomic-SSR primer and 392 pairs of EST-SSR primer were used to detect the polymorphisms between the two parents. 141 SSR primer pairs, 127 genomic-SSR and 14 EST-SSR ones, which can be used to detect polymorphisms between the two parents, were selected to analyze the RILs population. Thus, a linkage genetic map which consists of 131 SSR loci in 20 linkage groups, with a coverage of 679 cM and an average of 6.12 cM of inter-maker distance was constructed. The putative functions of 12 EST-SSR markers located on the map were analyzed. Eleven showed homology to gene sequences deposited in GenBank. This is the first report of construction of a comprehensive genetic map with SSR markers in peanut （Arachis hypogaea L.）. The map presented here will provide a genetic framework for mapping the qualitative and quantitative trait in peanut.

A Genetic Linkage Map of Brassica campestris L.ssp. pekinensis (syn. B. rapa L. ssp. pekinensis)

A molecular genetic map of Chinese cabbage was constructed with a 102 recombinant inbred (RI) population from a cross of two cultivated Chinese cabbage lines 177 and 276, using AFLP and RAPD markers. 352 markers including 265 AFLP markers and 87 RAPD markers were integrated into 17 linkage groups. It covered a total of 2 665. 7 cM with an average interval of 7. 6 cM. AFLP marker is efficient for map construction while it easily forms clusters to cause big gaps in map. A total of 13.92 % abnormal segregation markers distributed in the map. The molecular genetic map is fundamental for gene localization, comparative genomics, and QTL mapping of important agronomic traits.

Constructing the wolfberry(Lycium spp.) genetic linkage map using AFLP and SSR markers

Genetic linkage maps are important for quantitative trait locus(QTL) and marker-assisted selection breeding. The wolfberry(Lycium spp.) is an important food and traditional medicine in China. However, few construction genetic linkage maps have been reported because of the lack of genomic and genetic resources. In this study, a population of 89 F1 seedings was derived from a cross between two heterozygous parents, L. chinense var. potaninii ‘BF-01’(female)and L. barbarum var. auranticarpum ‘NH-01’(male), in order to construct a genetic linkage map using simple sequence repeat(SSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism(AFLP) markers based on the double pseudo-test cross mapping strategy. The resulting genetic map consisted of 165 markers(74 AFLPs and 91 SSRs) distributed across 12 linkage groups and spanned a total length of 557.6 cM with an average distance of 3.38 cM between adjacent markers.The 12 linkage groups contained 3 to 21 markers and ranged in length from 8.6 to 58.3 cM. Twenty-nine segregated markers distributed in the map were mainly located on LG4 and LG9 linkage groups at P<0.05. This is the first linkage map of Lycium species using SSR and AFLP markers, which can serve as basis for improving genes and selective breeding of the genome assembly.

QTL Mapping for Fiber Quality Traits Based on a Dense Genetic Linkage Map with SSR,TRAP,SRAP and AFLP Markers in Cultivated Tetraploid Cotton

Cotton is one of the most important economic crops in the world,and it provides natural fiber for the textile industry.With the advancement of the textile technology and increased consumption demands on cotton fiber,both cotton yield and quality should be enhanced.However,cotton yield

A genetic linkage map with 178 SSR and 1901 SNP markers constructed using a RIL population in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The construction of high density genetic linkage map provides a powerful tool to detect and map quantitative trait loci(QTLs) controlling agronomically important traits. In this study, simple sequence repeat(SSR) markers and Illumina 9K i Select single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) genechip were employed to construct one genetic linkage map of common wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) using 191 recombinant inbred lines(RILs) derived from cross Yu 8679×Jing 411. This map included 1 901 SNP loci and 178 SSR loci, covering 1 659.9 c M and 1 000 marker bins, with an average interval distance of 1.66 c M. A, B and D genomes covered 719.1, 703.5 and 237.3 c M, with an average interval distance of 1.66, 1.45 and 2.9 c M, respectively. Notably, the genetic linkage map covered 20 chromosomes, with the exception of chromosome 5D. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that 1 754(92.27%) of 1 901 mapped SNP loci could be aligned to 1 215 distinct wheat unigenes, among which 1 184(97.4%) were located on o ne single chromosome, and the rest 31(2.6%) were located on 2 to 3 chromosomes. By performing in silico comparison, 214 chromosome deletion bin-mapped expressed sequence tags(ESTs), 1 043 Brachypodium genes and 1 033 rice genes were further added onto the genetic linkage map. This map not only integrated genetic and physical maps, SSR and SNP loci, respectively, but also provided the information of Brachypodium and rice genes corresponding to 1 754 SNP loci. Therefore, it will be a useful tool for comparative genomics analysis, fine mapping of QTL/gene controlling agronomically important traits and marker-assisted selection breeding in wheat.

Constructing Genetic Linkage Maps Using the Whole Genome Sequence of Pacific Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus orientalis) and a Comparison of Chromosome Structure among Teleost Species

Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) is one of the most economically important species in the Percomorpha group of teleost fishes. Their migrations are extensive and depend upon continuous swimming at a high rate of speed throughout their life. The draft genome sequence of this species has been reported but remains highly fragmented. We constructed a Pacific bluefin tuna genetic linkage map using microsatellite markers developed on each of the scaffolds from the draft genome sequence to link these genome fragments and understand the genomic structure of species in Percomorpha. Of the 606 polymerase chain reaction microsatellite primer pairs tested, 473 were polymorphic in the mapping populations for the linkage analysis. We constructed sex-specific maps for 24 linkage groups consisting of 470 markers, which allowed us to place scaffolds that cumulatively represented 20.8% (153.8 Mb) of the sequenced genome onto the linkage groups. The distribution of orthologous genes on the chromosomes of tuna and four other teleost fish species suggested that the constitution of tuna chromosomes is closest to that of medaka. Both species have the 24 chromosomes of the ancestral teleost, including several chromosomal inversions. The integrated map developed in this study will be useful to construct a complete physical map to conduct comparative teleost genomics and genetic studies on economically useful traits in Pacific bluefin tuna.

Construction of high-density genetic linkage map of Pyropia yezoensis(Bangiales,Rhodophyta)and identifi cation of red color trait QTLs in the thalli

Pyropia yezoensis is an important macroalga because of its extensive global distribution and economic importance.Color is an important trait in the thalli of P.yezoensis,it is also an effective marker to identify the hybridization in genetic breeding.In this study,a high-density genetic linkage map was constructed based on high-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)markers,and used for analyzing the quantitative trait loci(QTLs)of red color trait in the thalli of P.yezoensis.The conchospore undergoes meiosis to develop into an ordered tetrad,and each cell has a haploid phenotype and can grow into a single individual.Based on this theory,F1 haploid population was used as the mapping population.The map included 531 SNP markers,394.57 cM long on average distance of 0.74 cM.Collinear analysis of the genetic linkage map and the physical map indicated that the coverage between the two maps was 79.42%.Furthermore,QTL mapping identified six QTLs for the chromosomal regions associated with the red color trait of the thalli.The value of phenotypic variance explained(PVE)by an individual QTL ranged from 4.71%-63.11%.And QTL qRed-1-1,with a PVE of 63.11%,was considered the major QTL.Thus,these data may provide a platform for gene and QTL fine mapping,and marker-assisted breeding in P.yezoensis in the future.

Genetic Linkage Map and Comparative Genome Analysis for the Atlantic Killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus)

Genetic linkage maps are valuable tools in evolutionary biology;however, their availability for wild populations is extremely limited. Fundulus heteroclitus (Atlantic killifish) is a non-migratory estuarine fish that exhibits high allelic and phenotypic diversity partitioned among subpopulations that reside in disparate environmental conditions. An ideal candidate model organism for studying gene-environment interactions, the molecular toolbox for F. heteroclitus is limited. We identified hundreds of novel microsatellites which, when combined with existing microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), were used to construct the first genetic linkage map for this species. By integrating independent linkage maps from three genetic crosses, we developed a consensus map containing 24 linkage groups, consistent with the number of chromosomes reported for this species. These linkage groups span 2300 centimorgans (cM) of recombinant genomic space, intermediate in size relative to the current linkage maps for the teleosts, medaka and zebrafish. Comparisons between fish genomes support a high degree of synteny between the consensus F. heteroclitus linkage map and the medaka and (to a lesser extent) zebrafish physical genome assemblies.

The construction of a genetic linkage map of non-heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris ssp.chinensis Makino)

Non-heading Chinese cabbage （Brassica carnpestris ssp. chinensis Makino） is one of the most important vegetables in eastern China. A genetic linkage map was constructed using 127 doubled haploid （DH） lines, and the DH population was derived from a commercial hybrid ＂Hanxiao＂ （lines SW-13 x L-118）. Out of the 614 polyrnorphic markers, 43.49% were not assigned to any of the linkage groups （LGs）. Chi-square tests showed that 42.67% markers were distorted from expected Mendelian segregation ratios, and the direction of distorted segregation was mainly toward the paternal parent L-118. After sequentially removing the markers that had an interval distance smaller than 1 cM from the upper marker, the overall quality of the linkage map was increased. Two hundred and sixty-eight molecular markers were mapped into 10 LGs, which were anchored to the corresponding chromosome of the B. rapa reference map based on com- mon simple sequence repeat （SSR） markers. The map covers 973.38 cM of the genome and the average interval distance between markers was 3.63 cM. The number of markers on each LG ranged from 18 （R08） to 64 （R07）, with an average interval distance within a single LG from 1.70 cM （R07） to 6.71 cM （R06）. Among these mapped markers, 169 were sequence-related amplified polymorphism （SRAP） molecular markers, 50 were SSR markers and 49 were random amplification polymorphic DNA （RAPD） markers. With further saturation to the LG9 the current map offers a genetic tool for loci analysis for important agronomic traits.

Simple Sequence Repeat Genetic Linkage Maps of A-genome Diploid Cotton (Gossypium arboreum)

This study introduces the construction of the first intraspecific genetic linkage map of the A-genome diploid cotton with newly developed simple sequence repeat （SSR） markers using 189 F2 plants derived from the cross of two Asiatic cotton cultivars （Gossypium arboreum L.） Jianglingzhongmlan x Zhejiangxiaoshanl（ishu. Polymorphisms between the two parents were detected using 6 092 pairs of SSR primers. Two-hundred and sixty-eight pairs of SSR primers with better polymorphisms were picked out to analyze the F2 population. In total, 320 polymorphic bands were generated and used to construct a linkage map with JoinMap3.0. Two-hundred and sixty-seven loci, including three phenotypic traits were mapped at a logarithms of odds ratio （LOD）≥ 3.0 on 13 linkage groups. The total length of the map was 2 508.71 cM, and the average distance between adjacent markers was 9.40 cM. Chromosome assignments were according to the association of linkages with our backbone tetraploid specific map using the 89 similar SSR loci. Comparisons among the 13 suites of orthologous linkage groups revealed that the A-genome chromosomes are largely collinear with the At and Dt sub- genome chromosomes. Chromosomes associated with inversions suggested that allopolyploidization was accompanied by homologous chromosomal rearrangement. The inter-chromosomal duplicated loci supply molecular evidence that the A-genome diploid Asiatic cotton is paleopolyploid.

Construction of SNP genetic maps based on targeted next-generation sequencing and QTL mapping of vital agronomic traits in faba bean(Vicia faba L.)

Owing to the limitation of a large genome size(~13 Gb),the genetic and gene mapping studies on faba bean(Vicia faba L.)are lagging far behind those for other legumes.In this study,we selected three purified faba bean lines(Yundou 8137,H0003712,and H000572)as parents and constructed two F2 populations.These two F2 populations,namely 167 F2 plants in Pop1(Yundou 8137×H0003712)and 204 F2 plants in Pop2(H000572×Yundou 8137),were genotyped using a targeted next-generation sequencing(TNGS)genotyping platform,and two high-density single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP)genetic linkage maps of faba bean were constructed.The map constructed from Pop1 contained 5103 SNPs with a length of 1333.31 cM and an average marker density of 0.26 cM.The map constructed from Pop2 contained 1904 SNPs with a greater length of 1610.61 cM.In these two F2 populations,QTL mapping identified 98 QTLs for 14 agronomic traits related to the flowers,pods,plant types and grains.The two maps were then merged into an integrated genetic linkage map containing 6895 SNPs,with a length of 3324.48 cM.These results not only lay the foundation for fine mapping and map-based cloning of related genes,but can also accelerate the molecular marker-assisted breeding of faba bean.

High density genetic map and quantitative trait loci(QTLs)associated with petal number and flower diameter identified in tetraploid rose

Rose is one of the most important ornamental and economic plants in the world.Modern rose cultivars are primarily tetraploid,and during meiosis,they may exhibit double reduction or preferential chromosome pairing.Therefore,the construction of a high density genetic map of tetraploid rose is both challenging and instructive.In this study,a tetraploid rose population was used to conduct a genetic analysis using genome sequencing.A total of 17382 single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)markers were selected from 2308042 detected SNPs.Combined with 440 previously developed simple sequence repeats(SSR)and amplified fragment length polymorphism(AFLP)markers,a marker dosage of 6885 high quality markers was successfully assigned by GATK software in the tetraploid model.These markers were used in the construction of a high density genetic map,containing the expected seven linkage groups with 6842 markers,a total map length of 1158.9 c M,and an average inter-marker distance of 0.18 c M.Quantitative trait locus(QTL)analysis was subsequently performed to characterize the genetic architecture of petal number and flower diameter.One major QTL(qpnum-3-1)was detected for petal number in three consecutive years,which explained 20.18–22.11%of the variation in petal number.Four QTLs were detected for flower diameter;the main locus,qfdia-2-2,was identified in two consecutive years.Our results will benefit the molecular marker-assisted breeding of modern rose cultivars.In addition,this study provides a guide for the genetic and QTL analysis of autotetraploid plants using sequencing-based genotyping methods.

Quantitative Trait Loci(QTL)Mapping and Marker Analysis of Fatty Acids in Peanut

Peanut,with high oil content,has been a major oil and food crop globally.The compositions of the fatty acids are the common factors in determining the oil quality.In the present study,an F2 segregated population with 140 individuals derived from the cross of Weihua8(a cultivar)and 12L49(a line with high oleic acid concentration)was used to construct a genetic map and conduct QTL mapping analysis.A total of 103 polymorphic SSR primers were utilized for genotyping the RILs and finally generating the SSR loci.Within the 103 SSR loci,a genetic linkage map,covering a total length of 3592.35 cM of the whole peanut genome,was constructed.Based on the genetic map,sixteen QTLs located on nine linkage groups related to peanut fatty acids were finally identified.Among them,four QTLs were detected associated with various traits simultaneously,which showed genetic stability in relation to fatty acids of peanut.Except for the QTLs for oleic acid,linoleic acid,and linolenic acid,three novel QTLs for arachidic acid and behenic acid were also detected.These QTLs might be helpful for further fine mapping analysis and marker-assisted selection of fatty acids in peanut.

Quantitative trait locus mapping of yield and plant height in autotetraploid alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.)

Alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.)is the most widely grown forage legume crop worldwide.Yield and plant height are important agronomic traits influenced by genetic and environmental factors.The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci(QTL)and molecular markers associated with alfalfa yield and plant height.To understand the genetic basis of these traits,a full-sib F1 population composed of 392 individuals was developed by crossing a low-yielding precocious alfalfa genotype(male parent)with a high-yielding latematuring alfalfa cultivar(female parent).The linkage maps were constructed with 3818 single-nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)markers on 64 linkage groups.QTL for yield and plant height were mapped using phenotypic data for three years.Sixteen QTL associated with yield and plant height were identified on chromosomes 1 to 8.Six QTL explained more than 10%of phenotypic variation,representing major loci controlling yield and plant height.One locus on chromosome 1 controlling yield traits had not been identified in previous studies.Three QTL co-located with other QTL(qyield-1 and qheight-7,qheight-5 and qyield-4,qheight-6,and qyield-6).With further validation,the markers closely linked with these QTL may be used for marker-assisted selection in breeding new alfalfa varieties with high yield.

The linkage maps of Dendrobium species based on RAPD and SRAP markers

Dendrobium plants are used commonly as tonic herbs and health food in many Asian countries, especially in China. Here we report the genetic map construction of two Dendrobium species with a double pseudo-testcross strategy using random amplified polymorphic DNA （RAPD） and sequence-related amplified polymorphism （SRAP） markers. A F1 mapping population of 90 individuals was developed from a cross between D. officinale and D. hercoglossum. A total of 307 markers, including 209 RAPD and 98 SRAP, were identified and used for genetic linkage group （LG） analysis. The D. officinale linkage map consisted of 11 major linkage groups and 3 doublets, which covered 629.4 cM by a total of 62 markers with an average locus distance of 11.2 cM between two adjacent markers. The D. hercoglos- sum linkage map contained 112 markers mapped on 15 major and 4 minor linkage groups, spanning a total length of 1,304.6 cM with an average distance of I 1.6 cM between two adjacent markers. The maps constructed in this study covered 92.7% and 82.7% of the D. hercoglossum and D. officinale genomes respectively, providing an important basis for the mapping of horticultural and medicinal traits and for the application of marker-assisted selection in Dendrobium breeding program.

Genetic Mapping of Laminaria japonica and L. Iongissima Using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Markers in a ＂Two-Way Pseudo- Testcross＂ Strategy

With a ＂two-way pseudo-testcross＂ mapping strategy, we applied the amplified fragment length polymorphism （AFLP） markers to construct two moderate density genetic linkage maps for Laminaria. The linkage maps were generated from the 60 progenies of the F1 cross family （Laminaria iongissima Aresch. × L. Japonica Miyabe） with twenty pairs of primer combinations. Of the 333 polymorphic loci scored in 60 progenies, 173 segregated in a 1：1 ratio, corresponding to DNA polymorphisms heterozygous in a single parent, and the other 58 loci existing in both parents followed a 3：1 Mendelian segregation ratio. Among the loci with 1：1 segregating ratios, 79 loci were ordered in 14 linkage groups （648.6 cM） of the paternal map, and 72 loci were ordered in 14 linkage groups （601.9 cM） of the maternal map. The average density of loci was approximately 1 per 8 cM. To Investigate the homologies between two parental maps, we used 58 loci segregated 3：1 for further analysis, and deduced one homologous linkage group. The linkage data developed in these maps will be useful for detecting loci-controlling commercially important traits for Laminaria.

Constructing a high-density linkage map for Gossypium hirsutum × Gossypium barbadense and identifying QTLs for lint percentage

To introgress the good fiber quality and yield from Gossypium barbadense into a commercial Upland cotton variety, a high‐density simple sequence repeat （SSR） genetic linkage map was developed from a BC1F1 population of Gossypium hirsutum × Gossypium barbadense. The map com-prised 2,292 loci and covered 5115.16 centiMorgan （cM） of the cotton AD genome, with an average marker interval of 2.23 cM. Of the marker order for 1,577 common loci on this new map, 90.36% agrees well with the marker order on the D genome sequence genetic map. Compared with five pub-lished high‐density SSR genetic maps, 53.14% of marker loci were newly discovered in this map. Twenty‐six quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for lint percentage （LP） were identified on nine chromosomes. Nine stable or common QTLs could be used for marker‐assisted selection. Fifty percent of the QTLs were from G. barbadense and increased LP by 1.07%–2.41%. These results indicated that the map could be used for screening chromosome substitution segments from G. barbadense in the Upland cotton background, identifying QTLs or genes from G. barbadense, and further developing the gene pyramiding effect for improving fiber yield and quality.

Identification of Co-dominant SSR Markers Associated with Genes Controlling α'- and cr-subunit-null β-conglycinin Phenotypes in Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)

Studies have shown that the three subunits of β-conglycinin are the main potential allergens of soybean sensitive patients.And β-conglycinin has adverse effects on nutrition and food processing.So solation and production of lines with lowerβ-conglycinin content has been the focus of recent soybean breeding projects.Soybean lines with deficiency in one or all subunits of β-congIycinin have been obtained.An effective and rapid system to identify such mutations will facilitate genetic manipulation of the β-conglycinin subunit composition.Here,two segregating F2 populations were developed from crosses between Cgy-1/cgy-1(CC),anα'-lacking line(△α'),and DongNong 47(DN47),a wild-type(Wt)Chinese soybean cultivar with normal globulin components,and Cgy-2/cgy-2(CB),an a-lacking line(△α),and DN47.These populations were used to estimate linkage among the egy-1(conferring α'-null)and cgy-2(α-null)loci and simple sequence repeat(SSR)markers.Seven SSR markers(Sat_038,Satt243,Sat_307,Sat_109,Sat_231,Sat_108 and Sat_190)were determined to co-scgregate with cgy-1,and six SSR markers(Satt650,Satt671,Sat_418,Sat_170,Satt292 and Sat_324)co-segregated with cgy-2.Linkage maps being composed of seven SSR markers and egy-1 locus,and six SSR markers and the cgy-2 locus were then constructed.It assigned that the egy-1 gene to chromosome 10 at a position between Sat_307 and Sat_231,and the cgy-2 gene to chromosome 20 at a position between Satt650 and Satt671.These markers should enable map-based cloning of the egy-1 and cgy-2 genes.For different subunit-deficiency types[α'-null,α-null and(α'+α)-null types],the two sets of SSR markers could also detect of polymorphism between three normal cultivars and seven related mutant lines.The identification of these markers is great significance to the molecular marker-assisted breeding of soybean/9-conglycinin subunits.

Progress in the Study of Molecular Genetic Improvements of Poplar in China

The poplar is one of the most economically important and intensively studied tree species owing to its wide application in the timber industry and as a model material for the study of woody plants. The natural resource of poplars in China is replete. Over the past 10 years, the application of molecular biological techniques to genetic improvements in poplar species has been widely studied in China. Recent advances in molecular genetic improvements of poplar, including cDNA library construction, gene cloning and identification, genetic engineering, gene expression, genetic linkage map construction, mapping of quantitative trait loci （QTL） and molecular-assisted selection, are reviewed in the present paper. In addition, the application of modern biotechnology to molecular improvements in the genetic traits of the poplar and some unsolved problems are discussed.

Quantitative resistance against Bemisia tabaci in Solanum pennellii:Genetics and metabolomics

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a serious threat in tomato cultivation worldwide as all varieties grown today are highly susceptible to this devastating herbivorous insect.Many accessions of the tomato wild relative Solanum pennellii show a high resistance towards B. tabaci. A mapping approach was used to elucidate the genetic background of whiteflyresistance related traits and associated biochemical traits in this species. Minor quantitative trait loci（QTLs） for whitefly adult survival（AS） and oviposition rate（OR） were identified and some were confirmed in an F2BC1 population, where they showed increased percentages of explained variance（more than 30%）. Bulked segregant analyses on pools of whiteflyresistant and-susceptible F2 plants enabled the identification of metabolites that correlate either with resistance or susceptibility. Genetic mapping of these metabolites showed that a large number of them co-localize with whiteflyresistance QTLs. Some of these whitefly-resistance QTLs are hotspots for metabolite QTLs. Although a large number of metabolite QTLs correlated to whitefly resistance or susceptibility, most of them are yet unknown compounds and further studies are needed to identify the metabolic pathways and genes involved. The results indicate a direct genetic correlation between biochemical-based resistance characteristics and reduced whitefly incidence in S. pennellii.