Marker Development and Quantitative Trait Loci in a Fall-Sown Oat Recombinant Inbred Population

Marker-assisted selection for improved winter survival in oat (Avena sativa L.) is difficult because the number of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers available in this species is limited. The objectives of this research were to increase the number of SSR markers on the 'Fulghum' x 'Norline' recombinant inbred population genetic map and to scan for quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with winter field survival, crown freezing tolerance, vernalization response, and heading date. New SSR markers were developed from 'Kanota' and 'Ogle' genomic DNA libraries enriched for eight microsatellite motifs. New primers were evaluated for amplification, reproducibility, and polymorphism in 11 oat lines. Simple sequence repeat markers showing high-quality polymorphism between Fulghum and Norline were subsequently examined in 128 recombinant inbred lines. Sixty-five new SSR, four single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and one cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers were added to the Fulghum x Norline linkage map. This brought the total number of markers mapped on the population to 101. Phenotypic data for winter hardiness component traits in the population were obtained in previous field and controlled chamber experiments. All previously mapped markers and new SSR markers were evaluated and QTL identified. Marker loci on linkage group FN1_3_38 accounted for multiple QTL associated with winter hardiness component traits. The addition of new SSR markers to the Fulghum x Norline map in regions with winter hardiness component trait QTL will enhance marker assisted selection for these important traits.