Use of DNA markers in forest tree improvement research

Abstract

Application. Development of DNA markers will provide abundant new genetic markers for forest tree improvement research. DNA markers will be most useful for estimating genetic diversity in breeding populations and for germplasm identification. Eventually, high-density maps may be used to identify quantitative trait loci and to practice marker-assisted selection.Abstract. DNA markers are rapidly being developed for forest trees. The most important markers are restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), polymerase chain reaction-(PCR) based markers such as random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and fingerprinting markers. DNA markers can supplement isozyme markers for monitoring tree improvement activities such as; estimating genetic diversity in breeding populations, germplasm identification, verifying controlled crosses, and estimating seed orchard efficiencies. Because the number of DNA markers is potentially limitless, it should be possible to map individual quantitative trait loci (QTL) by linkage analysis with high-density maps. Finally, if such associations can be found, it may also be possible to design marker-assisted breeding strategies for forest trees.

The development of microsatellite DNA markers for genetic analysis in Douglas-fir

“…Over 40 000 genetic selections of Douglas-fir on over 1200 test sites have been established in the Pacific Northwest alone (Adams et al 1990;Magnussen and Yanchuk 1994;Orr-Ewing et al 1972;King et al 1988). Marker assisted selection approaches for important traits are now being developed to augment traditional genetic studies and to study natural genetic variation in Douglas-fir (Neale and Williams 1991;Neale et al 1992;O'Malley and McKeand 1994;Johnson et al 2000;reviewed by van Buijtenen 2001). Genetic linkage maps have been constructed for Douglas-fir (Jermstad et al 1998(Jermstad et al , 2001aAgrema and Carlson 1995;Krutovskii et al 1998) using both random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD; Williams et al 1990) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP; Botstein et al 1980) markers.…”

Application of biotechnology for the domestication of Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H. J. Lam in Cameroon: A review

“…The use of biotechnology tools in the study of the entire genome has significantly impacted agriculture. Several different markers have been developed for trees (Neale et al, 1992;Haines, 1994) and specifically for tropical forest trees (Muchugi et al, 2008) and new marker types are developed every year. These markers range from biochemical markers (monoterpenes and allozymes) to the most complex molecular markers: single allelic dominant markers (AFLPs, RAPD) and the multiallelic codominant markers (RFLPs, SSRs, CAPs, EST and SNPs).…”

Genetic Comparison of Pinus brutia Ten. Populations from Different Elevations by RAPD Markers

“…Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers are based on standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodology and widely used in genetic studies of forest tree species (Neale et al, 1992;Wang and Szmidt, 2001). The application of the RAPD method is relatively easy due to: use of arbitrary sequence primers without prior DNA sequence information, Mendelian inheritance of loci, requirement for a small amount of template DNA, relatively high speed of analysis, and easy separation of amplification products on an agarose gel.…”