Marker development for erect versus pendant-orientated fruit in Capsicum annuum L

Area of Science:

• Plant genetics
• Horticultural science
• Molecular biology

Background:

• The erect fruit habit is a key trait in ornamental and wild peppers (Capsicum annuum L.).
• This trait is controlled by the 'up' locus on chromosome 12.
• Understanding the genetic basis is crucial for breeding programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To genetically analyze the 'up' locus controlling erect fruit habit.
• To develop a molecular marker for marker-assisted selection (MAS).

Main Methods:

• Genetic analysis of pepper lines (Saengryeog 211 and 213) and their progeny.
• Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) for marker development.
• Conversion of AFLP marker A2C79 to a Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence (CAPS) marker.

Main Results:

• The 'up' locus was confirmed to be a recessive gene.
• AFLP marker A2C79 was identified 1.7 cM from the 'up' locus.
• The derived CAPS marker was mapped 4.3 cM from the 'up' locus and accurately predicted genotypes in 28 breeding lines.

Conclusions:

• A reliable CAPS marker linked to the 'up' locus was developed.
• This marker facilitates early seedling stage MAS for erect fruit trait in pepper breeding.
• The findings will accelerate the development of ornamental and wild pepper varieties.