Identification of a CAPS marker in an eIF4E gene linked to Zucchini yellow mosaic virus resistance in watermelon

Genes that encode eukaryotic initiation factors (eIF) 4E and iso(4E) have been associated with the recessively inherited resistance to potyviruses in a number of plant species. Using previously developed degenerate primers, partial eIF4E and eIF(iso)4E gene sequence regions were obtained through polymerase chain reaction of the genomic DNA templates prepared from the Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV)-resistant U.S. Plant Introduction (PI) 595203, and the ZYMV-susceptible ‘New Hampshire Midget’ (NHM). A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was identified in the intron II region of the eIF4E sequence between the resistant and susceptible parental genotypes. F2 and BC1 populations were developed using PI 595203 and NHM and each plant was phenotyped for resistance to ZYMV and resistance was found to be conferred by a single recessive gene. A codominant Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequence (CAPS) marker was created using the identified SNP in the eIF4E gene. This marker was linked to the ZYMV resistance locus (zym) at a linkage distance of 7 cM as estimated with the F2 and BC1 populations. A marker in the eIF(iso)4E gene was created and was not linked to the ZYMV resistance locus.Cucurbitaceae 2008. IX EUCARPIA Meeting. Avignon (France), May 21-24th, 200