Application of DNA markers for the identification and management of hybrid poplar accessions

Author： Bekkaoui Faouzi Mann Bruce Schroeder Bill

ISSN： 0167-4366

Source： Agroforestry Systems, Vol.59, Iss.1, 2003-09, pp. : 53-59

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Abstract

Molecular markers are a powerful tool with many potential applications in agriculture and forestry. In particular, DNA markers can provide information on the relatedness of various clones or varieties that are difficult to distinguish morphologically, thus helping in the management of plant accessions and in breeding programs. The goal of this study is to genotype 15 clones used in the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) breeding programs. Simple Sequence Repeat DNA markers (SSR, or microsatellite markers) were selected for genotyping using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This type of marker is considered the method of choice due to their abundance, polymorphism and reliability compared to other types of DNA markers. Sixteen DNA markers previously isolated and characterized in aspen (Populus tremuloides) and other poplar species (Populus spp.) were initially tested. Nine markers were selected based on the “informativeness” and the quality of the amplification products. The nine markers were combined in groups of three to improve the efficiency of the genotyping technique. Using the nine markers, the average number of alleles per locus was 5.1. The expected and observed heterozygosity ranges were 0.32 to 0.80 and 0.13 to 0.92 respectively. The results also show that it is possible to produce a unique “DNA fingerprint” specific to each of the 15 hybrid poplar clones with the nine DNA markers. In this study it was possible to show that two clones, P. ‘Melville’ and P. x ‘Walker’ used in Saskatchewan have similar DNA profiles with nine markers and a combined probability of identity of 2.23 × 10⁻⁶ suggesting that these clones are identical. This observation will prevent unnecessary duplication of the two accessions in breeding programs.