Development of Or-gene-based co-dominant markers and their utilization in marker-assisted breeding for ß-carotene biofortification in different maturity groups of cauliflower
Shrawan Singh, Vinay Verma, Bhagchand Shivran, Rahul Kumar Meena, Anamika Chandel, Sandhya Saroha & Navinder Saini
Theoretical and Applied Genetics; October 4 2025; vol. 138; article 264
Abstract
β-Carotene biofortified crops are the most effective and sustainable components in food-based approaches to tackle vitamin A deficiencies in public. Orange cauliflower (Or gene) is one such options; however, co-dominant marker(s) are an essential requirement to deal with a semi-dominant Or gene for foreground selection in marker-assisted breeding. Thus, the present study aimed to develop and validate co-dominant marker(s) for the Or gene and deploy them for rapid recovery of homozygous OrOr progenies in three different maturity groups of Indian cauliflower. Consequently, three crosses from the early (PA/PKVA-1HM), mid-early (DC 325/PKVA-1HM) and mid-late maturity (DC 244/PKVA-1HM) groups were advanced to F2, F2:3, BC2F1 and BC1F2. The segregation pattern of these populations demonstrated the impact of a single semi-dominant Or gene on petiole base pigmentation and curd colour at maturity. The homozygous OrOr genotype was linked to curd deformity. However, these traits were stage-dependent. Two candidate gene markers, namely CFOr-123 and CFOr-346, were designed utilizing the Or-gene BAC sequencing data. These markers were validated in F2 population and proved useful in distinguishing homozygous and heterozygous individuals in F2 and BC1F2. Carotenoid content was highest in DC 244/ PKVA-1HM followed by DC 325/ PKVA-1HM and PA/ PKVA-1HM. A total of 16 promising homozygous F2:3 progenies were developed in tropical cauliflower backgrounds coupled with two Or-gene-based co-dominant markers, which are crucial in managing the ß-carotene biofortification programme of cauliflower.
See https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00122-025-05047-y
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