A genetic linkage map construction for sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest oilseed crops with high seed oil quality. The first sesame genetic linkage map based on F2 segregating population of an intraspecific cross between two cultivars was constructed. Using three types of PCR-based markers, 284 polymorphic loci including 10 EST-SSR marker, 30 AFLP marker and 244 RSAMPL marker, respectively, had been screened. Subsequently, a total of 220 molecular markers were mapped in 30 linkage groups covering a genetic length of 936.72 cM, and the average distance between markers was 4.93 cM. In this map, the linkage groups contained from 2 to 33 loci each and ranged in distance from 6.44 cM to 74.52 cM. Based on map information, sesame genome length was estimated to be approximately 1,232.53 cM, and genome coverage of this map was about 76.0%. As a starting point of sesame genome study, the genetic linkage map will be hopeful to tag traits of breeding interest and further aid in the sesame molecular breeding. Furthermore, RSAMPL marker had been also appreciated in this paper, for its first usage in genetic map construction and higher utilization potential in some crop species lacking much genome information.