Development and Application of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) for the Improvement of Cotton Crops

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) has been an important molecular tool in advancing cotton (Gossypium spp.) improvement by enabling researchers to detect stable genetic variations across the genome. Using restriction enzymes and labeled probes, RFLP generates highly reproducible, co-dominant markers that help identify differences among cultivars, wild species, and breeding lines. This technique has been widely used to construct early genetic linkage maps, locate quantitative trait loci (QTL_S) associated with fiber quality, yield, and disease resistance, and study genome structure in tetraploid cotton. RFLP has also contributed to detecting introgression from wild relatives and supporting marker-assisted selection in breeding programs. Although a more advanced marker system has emerged, RFLP remains valuable for its accuracy and continues to serve as a reference method for validating genetic relationships in cotton genomics.