Validation of SCAR Marker Linked to Genic Male Sterility in Marigold: As a Forward Step towards Marker Assisted Breeding Programme

Abstract

Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) is an ornamental plant belonging to the Compositae family. It is grown in many parts of India as well as throughout the World. Marigold is widely grown as a border plant in gardens. Different varieties and flowers are available in various shades of yellow, red, orange, dark orange, and orange brown. The two common species of marigold, both annuals, are distinguished as African marigold (T. erecta) and French marigold (T. patula) and are native to Mexico and Gautemala and were popularly grown as a cut flower, loose flower, pot plant and as a bedding plant in garden and for its medicinal values (Sowbhagya et al., 2004). Prospects of commercialization of marigold are increasing because of its hardy nature with ease to grow, low nutrient requirement and easy availability The identification of marker tightly linked to male sterility will greatly facilitate for marker assisted selection (MAS) breeding through accurate selection of parental lines in hybrid production. In the present study, to assess the efficiency of previously reported SCAR 4 marker for marker assisted selection was validated by screening the marker in a total of 226 F2 mapping population derived from a cross between male sterile (IIHR10521AB) and a male fertile pure line (IIHRMY7) maintained at IIHR along with bulk segregant analysis. The results showed that the marker segregated in the F2 population showing that it is linked to sterility locus. The marker was also validated by screening 12 different apetalloid male sterile lines maintained at IIHR, the results of amplification gave clear and similar band size amplicons present in parents in all the apetalloid sterile lines confirming that it is linked to male sterility and hence this study is significantly useful and can offer a powerful tool for the efficient selection in MAS breeding programmes in marigold. K e y w o r d s