Analysis of the apple fruit acid/low-acid trait by SSR markers

Abstract

It is necessary to find out the genetic characteristics of malic acid in the course of apple genomic research and breeding. In this study, the SSR marker linked to the acid/low-acid trait in apple fruit was identified from 140 SSR primer pairs, using 91 F₁ population hybrids from the intra-specific cross between apple cultivar ‘Dongguang’ and ‘Fuji’ as the experimental materials. Of 140 SSR primer pairs, only primer SDY085 produced a polymorphic band linked to acid trait, and the linkage distance was 8.89 cM. Also, the titrated acid and malic acid in different developmental stages were determined. The SSR marker analysis, coupled with the change of the total acid and malic acid contents, revealed that the acid/low-acid trait was governed by a major gene and acid trait was completely dominant.

Keywords

apple / Malus & / #215 / domestica Borkh. / acid/low-acid trait / SSR marker