RAPD protocol for tagging of fertility restorer and male sterility genes in chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

Availability of co-segregating marker with the fertility restorer (Rf) gene provides scope to identify maintainer/restorer lines without developing and evaluating cytoplasmic-nuclear male sterility (cms) based test cross progenies through marker aided selection (MAS). A stable nuclear male sterile line (MS-12) and a stable cms line (CCA-4261) along with a restorer line (Pant C-1) has been utilized for the tagging of male sterility (ins) and restorer (R/) genes of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). A reproducible RAPD protocol was developed and validity of an already reported RAPD (1400 bp) marker associated with the Rf gene of chilli has been tested in a newly identified strong restorer line (Pant C-1). The preliminary results on screening for informative primers differentiating between pooled DNA of male sterile and male fertile plants of MS-12 line and restorer and maintainer F2 plants derived from the cross CCA-4261 x Pant C-1 have been presented and discussed.