The identification of restriction fragment length polymorphisms linked to seed colour genes in Brassica napus

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) linked to genes controlling seed colour were identified in rapeseed (Brassica napus). The efficiency of the RFLP analysis was enhanced by utilizing bulked segregant analysis, DNA clones that had previously been used to construct a RFLP map of B. napus, and a doubled-haploid (DH) population segregating for seed colour. Markers for two of the three seed colour genes segregating in the DH population were identified on the basis of χ2 analyses of marker distributions among visually classified black-, brown-, and yellow-seeded DH lines as well as ANOVA and quantitative trait locus analysis of light-reflectance measurements from seeds of the DH lines. The RFLP markers linked to seed colour that were identified in the present study will allow breeding strategies based on genotype selection to be developed for seed colour in rapeseed.