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Resistance gene homologues in Theobroma cacao as useful genetic markers

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Abstract

Resistance gene homologue (RGH) sequences have been developed into useful genetic markers for marker-assisted selection (MAS) of disease resistant Theobroma cacao. A plasmid library of amplified fragments was created from seven different cultivars of cacao. Over 600 cloned recombinant amplicons were evaluated. From these, 74 unique RGHs were identified that could be placed into 11 categories based on sequence analysis. Primers specific to each category were designed. The primers specific for a single RGH category amplified fragments of equal length from the seven different cultivars used to create the library. However, these fragments exhibited single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP), which allowed us to map six of the RGH categories in an F2 population of T. cacao. RGHs 1, 4 and 5 were in the same linkage group, with RGH 4 and 5 separated by less than 4 cM. As SSCP can be efficiently performed on our automated sequencer, we have developed a convenient and rapid high throughput assay for RGH alleles.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the financial support of Mars, Inc., Hackettstown, N.J., and especially Mr. John Lunde and Dr. Jeff Morgan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA-ARS, Subtropical Horticulture Research Station, 13601 Old Cutler Road, Miami, FL 33158, USA

    M. Heath, R. J. Wisser, A. Meerow, J. S. Brown & R. J. Schnell

  2. Centro de Pesquisas do Cacau (CEPEC)/CEPLAC, Caixa Postal 7.45600-000, Itabuna, Bahia, Brazil

    U. Lopes

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, FL 33199, USA

    D. N. Kuhn

Authors
  1. D. N. Kuhn
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  2. M. Heath
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  3. R. J. Wisser
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  4. A. Meerow
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  5. J. S. Brown
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  6. U. Lopes
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  7. R. J. Schnell
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Correspondence to R. J. Schnell.

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Communicated by D.B. Neale

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Kuhn, D.N., Heath, M., Wisser, R.J. et al. Resistance gene homologues in Theobroma cacao as useful genetic markers. Theor Appl Genet 107, 191–202 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-003-1239-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-003-1239-7

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