Development of SCAR Markers Linked to L3 gene in Capsicum

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to the L3 locus were developed by applying the bulked segregant analysis method to two doubled haploid (DH) populations in Capsicum. The codominant RAPD markers, E18272 and E18286, were converted into sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers by molecular cloning and nucleotide sequencing. A PCR analysis using DH (n = 176) and backcross (n = 190) populations revealed that all the SCAR markers, PMFR11269, PMFR11283 and PMFR21200, co-segregated with the original RAPD markers, and were mapped at a distance of 4.0 cM from the L3 locus. Furthermore, after confirmation of their validity in 18 accessions of Capsicum spp. using the codominant SCAR marker pair, PMFR11269 and PMFR11283, it was suggested that the SCAR markers developed here could become effective in marker-assisted selection programs for the introduction of the L3 gene derived from PI159236 (C. chinense) into sweet pepper for breeding purposes.