Construction of high density genetic linkage map of amasya apple using different DNA markers

Amasya is one of the most important local apple cultivars in Turkey due to its nice smelling, highly aromatic and long storable fruits. In this study, it was aimed to construct a high genetic linkage map of Amasya cultivar by using different molecular marker systems and 180 F1 plants from 'Kaşel-37' (female parent) and 'Delbarestivale' (male parent) cross. Genetic linkage maps of 'Kaşel-37' and 'Delbarestivale' cultivars were constructed using SNP, SilicoDArT, SSR, AFLP, E-STS, RGA and other markers by applying 'double pseudo testcross' strategy. The genetic map of 'Kaşel-37' cultivar had a total of 4,468 markers on 17 linkage groups (LGs): 3,903 SNP and SilicoDArT, 342 SSR, 210 AFLP, 8 E-STS, 1 RGA and 4 markers linked to specific characters. The average number of marker per LG was 262.8 and the average marker density was 0.51 cM. The total map length was 2,284.7 cM and an average of LG length was 134.4 cM. The genetic linkage map of 'Delbarestivale cultivar had a total of 4,064 markers on 17 linkage groups: 3,527 SNP and SilicoDArT, 340 SSR, 185 AFLP, 5 E-STS, 1 RGA and 6 markers linked to specific characters. The average number of marker per LG was 239.1 and the average marker density was 0.60 cM. The total map length was 2,438.6 cM, and the average LG length was 143.5 cM. The constructed two high density genetic linkage maps in this study may allow QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci) analysis after phenotyping the F1 individuals and finally novel markers linked to phenotypic traits can be developed in the future. Key Words: Apple, Genetic map, SNP, SSR, AFLP