ARS | Publication request: RAPD MARKER ASSOCIATIONS WITH SUPERNUMERARY CHOROMOSOMES OF LOLIUM MULTIFLORUM

Submitted to: International Symposium on Molecular Breeding of Forage Crops Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 10, 2003
Publication Date: May 18, 2003
Citation: KINDIGER, B.K., ACQUAAH, G. RAPD MARKER ASSOCIATIONS WITH SUPERNUMERARY CHOROMOSOMES OF LOLIUM MULTIFLORUM. INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON MOLECULAR BREEDING OF FORAGE CROPS PROCEEDINGS. 2003. Poster No. 156.

Technical Abstract: Supernumerary or B-chromosomes are extra chromosomes found in natural populations of many plant species. They are distinct from the normal A-chromosome set and are of questionable origin and function. They are dispensable and are not known to possess any genes necessary for normal plant function. Through monosomic pairing and irradiation treatments, supernumerary chromosomes have been known to form translocations between the normal A-chromosome set, resulting in the generation of A-B or B-A chromosomes. Such translocations have found value in genetic analysis and molecular marker placement in maize. A similar system could be developed for mapping projects involving Lolium and or Festuca. In this study, over 300 decamer primers were utilized to screen a series of L. multiflorum germplasm with and without supernumerary chromosomes. In addition, four RAPD markers previously identified to be associated to the supernumerary chromosome of maize, were included in the evaluation. Results of the research indicate that two new decamer oligonucleotides primers can be used to indicate the presence or absence of supernumerary chromosomes of L. multiflorum. RAPD markers specific for the supernumerary chromosome of maize were not informative and failed to be associated to L. multiflorum samples possessing or missing supernumerary chromosomes. The value and use of these markers in identifying and generating potential Lolium-Festuca B-A translocations in Feslolium hybrids are discussed.