The use of DNA markers in raspberry (Rubus L.) research: a review

Abstract

Raspberry (Rubus L.) is one of the most common berry crops in horticulture. It is a valuable food product for humans and a raw material for food processing companies. The assortment of raspberries in Ukraine includes more than 30 varieties. Modern breeding and genetic programs are aimed at expanding genetic diversity and creating new raspberries varities. Molecular genetic methods are increasingly being used in both fundamental and applied research of Rubus species. This article presents an overview of the main types of molecular markers used to study genetic polymorphism of Rubus species. Out of the whole variety of available DNA markers, such molecular methods of analysis as RAPD, RFLP, AFLP, ISSR, SSR and SNPs have proved to be the most effective in solving problems related to genotypes, population polymorphism, genetic mapping, and phylogenetic studies of raspberries. Their high efficiency is associated with increased resolution, reproducibility, high informativeness, the possibility of analysis automatization, speed, simplicity and availability. These markers are a convenient tool for genomic selection and research of genetic diversity of not only the genus Rubus representatives, but also of all living organisms. As of retrotransposon markers, which make up the main part of the eukaryotes genome, there are few scientific papers on their use for the study of representatives of the genus Rubus, unlike other crops. Significant progress in raspberry breeding is associated with the development of modern sequencing technologies. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) allows simultaneous generation of a large number of SNP markers that are used to create genetic maps, identify pathogen resistance genes, map economically useful traits etc. Key words: Rubus, raspberry, DNA markers, polymorphism, selection.