Abstract
Genetic linkage maps provide a genomic framework for quantitative trait loci identification applied in marker assisted selection breeding in crops with limited resources. It serves as a powerful tool to breeders for analysing the mode of inheritance of genes of interest and monitoring of the transmission of target genes from parents to progeny. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers have a great influence on mapping research studies: for faster development of new varieties of crops due to its abundance and high number of polymorphism. Thus, this research work aimed at constructing genetic linkage map of cowpea using SNP markers. This will facilitate development of new varieties of cowpea. Single seed descent method of breeding was used to generate mapping population between IT-95K-193-12 and Ife-Brown. Fresh leaves from both parental lines and F1 hybrids were genotyped with 135 SNP markers. Data from125 polymorphic SNP markers were used to construct linkage map. Results revealed 12 linkage maps with an average of 10 markers to a chromosome and average marker distance of 3.02 cM between the markers. Constructed map provides basic information that could assist in genetic improvement of cowpea, most especially in developing brown blotch resistant cowpea varieties through detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for brown blotch resistance in cowpea when utilizing marker assisted selection method. Key words: Cowpea, genetic linkage map, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, brown blotch resistance.
Highlights
Genetic map refers to chromosomal linear linkage map which uses chromosome recombinant exchange rate as relative length units
Constructed map provides basic information that could assist in genetic improvement of cowpea, most especially in developing brown blotch resistant cowpea varieties through detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for brown blotch resistance in cowpea when utilizing marker assisted selection method
Genetic linkage map based on Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers
Summary
Genetic map refers to chromosomal linear linkage map which uses chromosome recombinant exchange rate as relative length units. It mainly consists of genetic markers and serves as a starting point to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for target traits. Construction of a high-density genetic linkage map is of great significance in variety development because it can be used to locate and mark the target gene to promote the application of markerassisted breeding (Huaqiang et al, 2012). Consensus genetic linkage maps provide a genomic framework for quantitative trait loci identification, map-based cloning, assessment of genetic diversity, association mapping and applied breeding in marker-assisted selection schemes, among ‘‘orphan crops’’ with limited genomic resources such as cowpea (Muchero et al, 2009)
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