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Pyramiding QTL for multiple lateral branching in cucumber using inbred backcross lines

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Abstract

Multiple lateral branching (MLB) is a quantitatively inherited trait associated with yield in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.; 2n = 2x = 14). Although quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been identified for MLB and QTL-marker associations have been verified by marker-assisted selection, the individual effects of these QTL have not been characterized. To test the effects of pyramiding QTL for MLB, molecular genotyping was utilized to create two sets (standard- and little-leaf types) of inbred backcross (IBC) lines possessing various numbers of QTL that promote branching. These IBC lines were evaluated for lateral branch number in two Wisconsin environments at three plant densities. Highly significant differences in the number of primary lateral branches were detected between spacings, leaf types, and lines, but not between locations. Lateral branch number decreased at higher plant densities in all genotypes, while genotype by environment and QTL by environment interactions were marginally non-significant. As the number of QTL increased among IBC lines, the number of branches did not generally change in the little-leaf lines, but decreased in the standard-leaf lines, demonstrating an epistatic effect related to genetic background during lateral branch development. The genomic location with the greatest effect on MLB was confirmed as the QTL that was previously mapped near the little-leaf locus (ll), while the addition of one specific QTL consistently decreased the number of lateral branches in standard-leaf lines. Although pyramiding QTL for MLB did not uniformly increase the number of lateral branches, pyramiding QTL in IBC lines allowed further characterization of individual QTL involved in MLB. Our results, coupled with those of previous studies indicate that lateral branch development in cucumber is determined by growing environment (i.e., plant spacing), genetic background, and QTL composition.

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Abbreviations

IBC:

Inbred backcross

MAS:

Marker-assisted selection

MLB:

Multiple lateral branching

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

QTL:

Quantitative trait loci

RIL:

Recombinant inbred lines

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin Madison, 1575 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Matthew D. Robbins

  2. OARDC, The Ohio State University, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH, 44691, USA

    Matthew D. Robbins

  3. US Dairy Forage Research Center, USDA, ARS, 1925 Linden Drive West, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Michael D. Casler

  4. Vegetable Crops Research Unit, USDA, ARS, 1575 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Jack E. Staub

Authors
  1. Matthew D. Robbins
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  2. Michael D. Casler
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  3. Jack E. Staub
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Correspondence to Matthew D. Robbins.

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Robbins, M.D., Casler, M.D. & Staub, J.E. Pyramiding QTL for multiple lateral branching in cucumber using inbred backcross lines. Mol Breeding 22, 131–139 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-008-9162-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-008-9162-x

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