Identification of RAPD and SCAR markers linked to the flesh adhesion gene F in peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch)

Flesh adhesion to the stone in peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) fruits can be categorized into three groups: freestone, semi-clingstone and clingstone. Flesh adhesion is known to be determined by a single gene pair F/f with the freestone dominant to clingstone. Bulked segregant analysis and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis were performed to detect markers linked to the F/f gene using an F, progeny of clingstone 'Yumyeong' (ff) X freestone 'Baekhyang' (Ff). Four dominant coupling-phase RAPD markers linked to the gene, designated as OPB05(1300), OPD20(580), OPI07(1050) and UBC439(1400) were identified from 578 10-mer primers examined. The cosegregation of the four markers and the F/f gene was verified using the 95 individuals of the F-1 progeny of 'Yumyeong' X 'Baekhyang'. The RAPD markers OPB05(1300), OPI07(1050) and UBC439(1400) were found to be located at 2.2, 4.4 and 1.1 cM, respectively, on one side of the F/f locus and the marker OPD20(580) at 11.8 cM on the other side. Two RAPD markers OPB05(1300) and UBC439(1400) were developed into dominant sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. The SCAR markers were found to be adequate to identify the F/f gene in segregating progenies and commercial cultivars. These markers can reliably be used in the marker-assisted selection of peach cross seedlings at an early developmental stage of the trees.