Development of molecular markers linked to quantitative trait loci and genes controlling endosperm-based hybridization barriers

Abstract

According to the theory of biological species, two species are considered different if there exist barriers to reproduction that prevent genes from flowing between them. Despite the undervaluation of hybrid seed lethality in the field of evolutionary biology, it represents a significant and promising area of research within the discipline of plant breeding. It is of the utmost importance to gain an understanding of and to overcome hybrid seed failure in order to facilitate the incorporation of desired traits into cultivated species. In this study, hybrid seed lethality between Capsicum annuum L. (21A) and Capsicum frutescens L. (PI 281420) cross was investigated. A genetic map was constructed using an F 2 population derived from a cross between C . annuum L. (21A) and C . frutescens L. (PI 281420). The quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for endosperm-based hybridization barriers were mapped using the F 2 population. A genetic map with a total length of 929.6 centimorgans (cM) and comprising 12 linkage groups was constructed using 61 markers, including 31 sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers, 19 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and 11 random amplified polymorphic DNA markers. The 2 linked QTLs related with endosperm-based hybridization barriers character were mapped on linkage groups 11 and XX. This research contributes to our understanding of the genetic processes that underpin hybrid seed lethality, thereby providing insights for the enhancement of cultivated plant species through breeding.

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