Development of SCAR Markers Linked to L^3 gene in Capsicum

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to the L^3 locus were developed by applying the bulked segregant analysis method to two doubled haploid (DH) populations in Capsicum. The codominant RAPD markers, E18_<272> and E18_<286>, were converted into sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers by molecular cloning and nucleotide sequencing. A PCR analysis using DH (n = 176) and backcross (n = 190) populations revealed that all the SCAR markers, PMFR11_<269>, PMFR11_<283> and PMFR21_<200>, co-segregated with the original RAPD markers, and were mapped at a distance of 4.0 cM from the L^3 locus. Furthermore, after confirmation of their validity in 18 accessions of Capsicum spp. using the codominant SCAR marker pair, PMFR11_<269> and PMFR11_<283>, it was suggested that the SCAR markers developed here could become effective in marker-assisted selection programs for the introduction of the L^3 gene derived from PI 159236 (C. chinense) into sweet pepper for breeding purposes.