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A flexible quantitative methodology for the analysis of gene-flow between conventionally bred maize populations using microsatellite markers

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Abstract

Previous studies of gene-flow in agriculture have used a range of physical and biochemical markers, including transgenes. However, physical and biochemical markers are not available for all commercial varieties, and transgenes are difficult to use when trying to estimate gene flow in the field where the use of transgenes is often restricted. Here, we demonstrate the use of simple sequence repeat microsatellite markers (SSRs) to study gene flow in maize. Developing the first quantitative analysis of pooled SSR samples resulted in a high sampling efficiency which minimised the use of resources and greatly enhanced the possibility of hybrid detection. We were able to quantitatively distinguish hybrids in pools of ten samples from non-hybrid parental lines in all of the 24 pair-wise combinations of commercial varieties tested. The technique was used to determine gene flow in field studies, from which a simple model describing gene flow in maize was developed.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

PAGE:

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

SSR:

Simple sequence repeat

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by UK Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs grant (CTC0104) and by EU Framework VI programme grant Sustainable Introduction of GMOs into European Agriculture (SIGMEA). HT was supported by an emeritus fellowship from the Leverhulme Trust.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IBERS, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK

    P. R. H. Robson, R. Kelly, E. F. Jensen, G. D. Giddings, M. Leitch, C. Davey, A. P. Gay, G. Jenkins, H. Thomas & I. S. Donnison

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  1. P. R. H. Robson
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  2. R. Kelly
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  3. E. F. Jensen
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  4. G. D. Giddings
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  5. M. Leitch
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  6. C. Davey
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  7. A. P. Gay
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  8. G. Jenkins
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  9. H. Thomas
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  10. I. S. Donnison
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. R. H. Robson.

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Communicated by J.-B. Veyrieras.

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Robson, P.R.H., Kelly, R., Jensen, E.F. et al. A flexible quantitative methodology for the analysis of gene-flow between conventionally bred maize populations using microsatellite markers. Theor Appl Genet 122, 819–829 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-010-1489-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-010-1489-0

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