Identification of markers linked to a celery mosaic virus resistance gene in celery

Abstract

Resistance to Celery mosaic virus (CeMV) in celery [Apium graveolens L. var. dulce (Mill.) Pers.] is recessive and determined by the single gene, cmv. We report discovery of two polymerase chain reaction-based dominant markers tightly linked to cmv in segregating F2 and BC1 populations. Marker me1em2 is associated to the dominant (susceptibility allele) and the second marker, me8em2, to the recessive (resistance allele). Simultaneous screening for both markers in segregating populations allows for identification of both homozygous and heterozygous genotypes for disease resistance. This marker system can be used for early seedling selection, which will simplify and speed development of celery cultivars resistant to CeMV.