Identification of QTLs influencing agronomic traits in Miscanthus sinensis Anderss. II. Chlorine and potassium content

Yield increase in processing cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) is positively correlated with an increase in number of fruit-bearing branches. Multiple lateral branching (MLB) is a metric trait controlled by at least five effective factors. Breeding efficacy might be improved through marker-assisted selection (MAS) for MLB. Experiments were designed to independently confirm previously determined linkage of molecular markers (L18-2-H19A SNP, CSWTAAA01 SSR, CSWCT13 SSR, W7-2 RAPD and BC-551 RAPD) to MLB, and to determine their utility in MAS. These markers were present in significantly higher frequency than expected (1, presence:3, absence; p <0.001) in BC 2 plants selected based on a high MLB phenotype (BC 2PHE). However, markers that were considered selectively neutral fit the expected segregation of donor parent DNA in BC 2 progeny. Markers linked to MLB were used in MAS of BC 1 and BC 2 plants to produce BC 2MAS, and BC 3MAS progeny. Means for MLB in MAS populations were compared with backcross populations developed through phenotypic selection (BC 2PHE, BC 3PHE) and by random mating where no selection had been applied (BC 2RND, BC 3RND). Statistical analysis showed no significant differences ( p