DNA markers linked to pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) resistant locus (L4) in Capsicum

Abstract

DNA markers linked to the L4 gene that controls resistance to pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) in Capsicum spp. were screened. Among 516 arbitrary primers, only one primer, that was WA31, amplified a DNA fragment (WA31-1500) specific to the resistant group. A set of primers was designed based on the nucleotide sequence of WA31-1500. The newly synthesized primers amplified a single clear fragment (WA31-1500S) specific to the resistant individuals in the F2 population. This SCAR marker, that was WA31-1500S, was shown to be linked to the L4 gene within a distance of 1.5 cM. WA31-1500S was amplified in 10 accessions possessing L4 gene, but not amplified in the other 11 susceptible accessions. The above findings strongly suggest that the WA31-1500S is closely linked to L4 gene, and should be useful as a selection marker in the breeding of PMMoV-resistant in Capsicum.