TITLE:
Identification of F1 Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Progeny Using Microsatellite Markers and Capillary Electrophoresis
AUTHORS:
Kyaligonza Vincent, Kawuki Robert, Ferguson Morag, Kaweesi Tadeo, Baguma Yona, Vuzi Peter
KEYWORDS:
Cassava Crosses; Authenticity of F1 Progeny; Molecular Markers
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.1,
January
14,
2014
ABSTRACT: Generation of genetic diversity is necessary in improving on the
potential of cassava when faced with various biotic and abiotic challenges.
Presently, cassava breeders are breeding for a number of traits, such as
drought tolerance, early root bulking, yield, starch, beta-carotene, protein,
dry matter, pest and disease resistance, by relying on genetic diversity that
exists in manihot esculenta germplasm.
Controlled pollination is one of the main methods used to generate genetic
diversity in cassava. However, the process of controlled pollination especially
in an open field is prone to contamination by illegitimate pollen right from
the time of pollination, seed collection, nursery bed establishment to planting
of the trials. Therefore, authentication of the progeny obtained from cassava
crosses is very important for genetic studies. Twelve informative
microsatellite markers were used to verify the authenticity of 364 F1 progeny thought to come from four controlled parental crosses. The transmission
of each allele at nine microsatellite loci was tracked from parents to progeny
in each of the four Namikonga-derived F1 cassava families. Out of
the 364 F1 progeny, 317 (87.1%) were true-to-type, 44 (12.1%) were a
product of self-pollination and 3 (0.8%) were a product of open pollination.
The consistency of the results obtained using microsatellite markers makes this
technique a reliable tool for assessing the purity of progeny generated from
cassava crosses.