Analysis of a Nicotiana tabacum L. genomic region controlling two leaf surface chemistry traits

cis-Abienol and sucrose esters are Nicotiana tabacum leaf surface components that likely influence plant resistance to pests. Their breakdown products also contribute to flavor and aroma characteristics of certain tobacco types. Mapping of genes involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds could permit development of molecular-based tools for generating tobacco types with novel cured leaf chemistry profiles. A doubled haploid mapping population segregating for major genes (Abl and BMVSE) affecting the ability to accumulate cis-abienol and sucrose esters was generated and genotyped with a large set of microsatellite markers. The two genes were found to reside on chromosome A of the N. tabacum genome with a distance of 8.2 cM (centimorgans) between them. Seventeen microsatellite markers were also placed on this linkage group, several of which exhibited complete cosegregation with Abl and BMVSE. Results should aid breeding efforts focused on modification of this aspect of tobacco cured leaf chemistry.