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Candidate gene based SSR and SNP markers for gynoecy in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

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Abstract

Background

Even though the bitter gourd hybrids are shown to have significant heterosis for many of the economic traits, processes such as manual bagging and hand pollination make the hybrid seed production labour-intensive. Use of gynoecious line as female parent makes hybrid seed production more economical. This work was performed with the objective to identify the candidate gene based molecular markers for gynoecy in bitter gourd.

Methods and results

Seven putative genes for flowering and sex expression, isolated from the monoecious (MC-136) and gynoecious (KAU-MCGy-101) bitter gourd accessions, were sequence characterized. MADS-box transcription factor genes AG6 and McAG2 had nucleotide polymorphisms at five sites each and were potential candidates for marker development. An In/Del polymorphism of 48 bp ([TC]24) in AG6 gene was used to develop an SSR marker and a transition mutation of [A/G] in this gene was used to develop a set of SNP markers. These markers have developed distinct polymorphism between the monoecious and gynoecious genotypes and were found suited for the marker assisted selection.

Conclusions

MADS box transcription factor genes AG6 and McAG2 are identified as candidates for sex expression in bitter gourd. Based on the InDels and transition in the intronic region of AG6, SSR marker BGAG6 and an SNP marker set segregating with the sex forms were developed. The markers have been validated using four other monoecious lines and are routinely used in our bitter gourd hybrid seed production programmes.

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Data availability

The datasets generated in this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Funding

This work was funded by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, 680 656, India

    Nivethitha Baluchamy & Deepu Mathew

  2. Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, 680 656, India

    Pradeepkumar Thayyil & Veni Koorathodi

  3. Cocoa Research Centre, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, 680 656, India

    Janaki Saifudheen Minimol

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  1. Nivethitha Baluchamy
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  2. Pradeepkumar Thayyil
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  3. Deepu Mathew
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  4. Janaki Saifudheen Minimol
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  5. Veni Koorathodi
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Contributions

PT, DM and MJS have conceptualized and designed the study, NB has performed the investigation, VK participated in laboratory and data analysis, NB, PT and DM have written and revised the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Deepu Mathew.

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Baluchamy, N., Thayyil, P., Mathew, D. et al. Candidate gene based SSR and SNP markers for gynoecy in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.). Mol Biol Rep 50, 1125–1132 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-022-08098-2

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