Genetic Variation and Mapping of the Carrot Nuclear and Chloroplast Genomes

Abstract

Studies of genetic variation at the DNA level in the genus Dacus have been very limited. Molecular markers based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) have been highly useful and efficient gene markers in other plant species. We have evaluated the chloroplast genome of 19 Dacus species and inbreds cut with 10 restriction enzymes and probed with 14 petunia chloroplast clones. A phylogenetic tree generated to date shows three major groupings of these accessions as seen with data generated by an earlier study using nuclear RFLPs. However, D. glochidiatus and D. guttatus are in different groups. Details of the chloroplast study will be discussed. Also, a genetic linkage map of carrot will be constructed. The map will be used to determine the genomic regions conditioning traits such as pigmentation root and core diameter, and root length.