Genome Introgression of Festuca mairei into Lolium perenne Detected by SSR and RAPD Markers

Abstract

The genera of Lolium and Festuca belong to the same tribe Poeae, of subfamily Pooideae, but offer a range of complementary characteristics of agronomic importance. Intergeneric hybridization between the two genera is expected to combine the desirable characteristics of Lolium (good turf quality and good establishment) with Festuca species (drought and heat tolerance and disease resistance) in turfgrass breeding. The use of molecular markers to trace genome introgression in intergeneric hybrids has been reported for many crops, but not for Lolium and Festuca The objective of this study was to use simple sequence repeats (SSR) or microsatellite markers developed from Lolium perenne L. and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers to assess genomic introgression of Festuca mairei St. Yves (Fm) into L. perenne (Lp). Out of the 40 SSR markers tested, nine markers covering seven linkage groups, fully discriminated the Fm and Lp parents and revealed that the Fm genome was transferred into the backcross progenies of Fm and Lp. In 13 backcross derivatives detected by SSR markers, 11 individuals showed that the Fm genome was introduced. Forty‐one RAPD primers were chosen to detect genome introgression of the backcross progeny. A total of 188 parent‐specific markers were obtained. Ninety‐two (49%) are Fm‐specific markers. The 13 backcross progenies showed a range of introgression of Fm‐specific markers (5.4–60.9%). The introgression levels of the backcross progeny revealed by SSR and RAPD markers were significantly correlated (P ≤ 0.0116). The SSRs and RAPD markers were informative and effective in detecting Fm genome introgression into the Lp genome.