Use of Rapd Technology in Cucumber

Abstract

<jats:p>Fruit yield in cucumber is limited by the nature of its fruiting habit. Manipulation of plant architecture is one way of increasing yield potential in cucumber. We are incorporating a multiple lateral (ML), sequential fruiting habit into a determinate (de) background. Misclassification of mature plants occurs because the <jats:underline>de</jats:underline> character is difficult to identify in a ML/de background. It would be valuable to develop an inexpensive laboratory test which would allow accurate classification of ML/de plant types. To develop such a test, we have begun the use of a new DNA marker system, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). We performed a series of experiments designed to test the reproducibility and predictability of RAPDs. Data indicated that RAPD patterns were not significantly affected by tissue age, infection with powdery mildew or bacterial wilt, or presence of fruit. F1 RAPD polymorphisms segregated in predicted 3:1 ratios. A survey of 6 ML lines and 1 de line with 400 primers identified 4 polymorphisms shared by all ML lines and diagnostic for the de line. No association was found between any of these markers and the de character.</jats:p>