RAPD linkage mapping in a Populus adenopoda x P-alba F1 family

Random amplified polymorphic DNAs(RAPDs) were used to construct linkage maps of the parents of a Populus adenopoda Maxim. x P. alba L. F-1 family. A set of 620 random oligonucleotide primers were screened and 128 primers were selected to generate RAPD markers within a sample of 80 F-1 progenies. A total of 333 segregating loci [(326(1:1),7(3:1)] were identified. Among the 326 1:1 segregating loci (238 loci from P. adenopoda and 88 loci from P. alba), 36 loci (26 loci in P. adenopoda and 10 loci in P. alba) were found distorted from the normal 1:1 ratio. Altogether 290 loci segregating 1:1 (testcross configuration) were used to construct parent-specific linkage maps, 212 for P. alba and 78 for P. adenopoda. The resulting linkage maps consisted of 189 marker loci in 20 groups (four or more loci per group), 6 triples and 16 pairs for P. alba, which cover the map distance about 2 402.4 cM, and 41 linked marker loci for P. adenopoda which cover map distance about 479.4 cM. Further study is warranted to locate some important quantitative trait loci (QTLs) based on the maps.