Investigating the dwarfing phenomenon in apple and the identification of genetic markers for a novel source of powdery mildew resistance Audrey DIDIER DESS management of biodiversity: Methodology of study and genetics resources valorisation 2001/2002 Summary The major characteristics of commercial apple varieties are durable resistance resulting in a reduction in pesticide application, a high yield combined with a low harvest cost and high fruit quality. To achieve these desired traits, molecular markers can be employed as useful tools in the pyramiding of resistance genes or in the marker assisted selection of genes of interest. Powdery mildew is one of the most important diseases affecting apple production worldwide. This study used bulked segregant analysis with RAPD markers to identify a genetic marker linked to a new source of powdery mildew resistance in Aotea. In addition the same technique was used to position a locus thought to be involved in the control of the dwarfing phenomenon in the commonly used dwarfing rootstock M9. The genetic markers identified in this study will be used to further characterise powdery mildew resistance and dwarfing in apple. This information will be valuable to future marker assisted selection in apple. Resumé Les propriétés majeures des variétés commerciales de pomme sont considerées comme étant une résistance durable entraînant la diminution des applications de pesticide, un haut rendement associé a un faible coût de récolte et une haute qualité de fruit. Pour acquérire ces charactéristiques, les marqueurs moléculaires peuvent être employés comme des outils utiles dans le pyramidage de genes de résistance ou dans la sélection assistée par marqueur pour les genes d’interêt. L’oïdium est une des plus importantes maladies affectant la production mondiale de pomme. Cette étude a utilisé la bulked segregant analysis avec des marqueurs RAPD pour identifier des marqueurs génétiques liés à de nouvelles sources de résistance à l’oïdium chez Aotea. De plus, la même technique a été utilisée pour placer un locus que l’on croit être impliqué dans le contrôle du nannisme chez une des rootstocks naines les plus communement utilisée M9. Les marqueurs génétiques identifiés dans cette étude pourront être utilisés pour une caractérisation plus approfondie de la résistance à l’oïdium et du nannisme chez la pomme. Ces informations pourront être précieuses pour de future sélection assistée par marqueurs chez la pomme. Key words: Powdery mildew; dwarfing; resistance gene; molecular markers; BSA; RAPD 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................... 4 1 - Powdery Mildew............................................................................................................... 6 2 - Dwarfing ........................................................................................................................... 7 Planting system in apple production.................................................................................. 7 Used of dwarfing rootstocks in apple ................................................................................ 8 Knowledge on genetic control of the dwarfing ................................................................ 10 3 - Introducing the research for this project ......................................................................... 12 MATERIALS AND METHODS .......................................................................................... 13 1 - Varieties used and crosses .............................................................................................. 13 2 - Populations ..................................................................................................................... 14 Powdery Mildew (PM) ..................................................................................................... 14 Dwarfing (DW) ................................................................................................................ 15 3 - DNA extraction............................................................................................................... 16 4 - DNA quantitation ........................................................................................................... 17 5 - Pre-screening markers .................................................................................................... 17 6 - Bulked Segregant Analysis (BSA) ................................................................................. 18 7 – Mapping ......................................................................................................................... 19 RESULTS ............................................................................................................................... 20 1 - Powdery Mildew............................................................................................................. 20 Pre-screen markers .......................................................................................................... 20 Bulked Segregant Analysis ............................................................................................... 20 Mapping ........................................................................................................................... 21 2 - Dwarfing ......................................................................................................................... 21 Bulked Segregant Analysis ............................................................................................... 21 Mapping ........................................................................................................................... 23 DISCUSSION ......................................................................................................................... 24 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................. 30 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................... 31 APPENDIX ............................................................................................................................. 35 3 INTRODUCTION The main objective of breeding programmes in apple is to combine high fruit quality, high yield and resistance to known major pests and disease. This objective originates from the demands of producers who require durable resistance and a reduction in costs associated with chemical treatment and also consumer demand for a lower degree of pesticide application (Gardiner et al., 2002). Traditionally, crosses are carried out between commercial varieties and wild species known to possess major resistance genes (Janse et al., 1994). Crosses are successful if the character is sexually transmissible, under the control of major genes and simply inherited (Dayton, 1977). However, several backcross generations are necessary before the resistance can be integrated into a desirable cultivar of high fruit quality. For a species like apple which has a lengthy generation time (5 years), long juvenility period, is self-incompatible, this method is long and complex (Lawson et al., 1995). In addition, using this traditional method breeders cannot select plants which express two or more resistance genes because of the epistatic interactions between the genes (Gardiner, 2002). However, this is often a desirable breeding objective as the presence of more than a single resistance gene against the same disease or pest in the same variety could reduce the ability of the pest or disease to overcome the resistance. There are two types of resistance to pests and diseases: resistance controlled by major genes (vertical) and resistance controlled by many resistances genes (horizontal). In the case of vertical resistance, the level of inheritance is high, around 50 %, but it is easier to breakdown by mutation within the pest or pathogens (Bus et al., 1998). Polygenic resistance is more stable, but the resistance is highly variable in the progeny and weakly heritable (5-15 %). Breeders require tools to understand the inheritance of resistance genes to enable them to select plants efficiently and at an early stage of development (Bus et al., 2000). Marker assisted selection using markers which are close to and flank the gene of interest has been used successfully in several crops (Gardiner, 2002). This method halves the time taken to introduce new genetic characters into high quality varieties particularly when the trait of interest is usually determined phenotypically at a late developmental stage (cf. figure 1), or when pyramiding several genes (Kellerhals et al., 2000). The use of marker assisted selection in a breeding program also reduces orchard maintenance costs as those plants not carrying the genes of interest can be eliminated at the seedling stage. 4 The development of new cultivars possessing several resistances to the same or different diseases will result in a decrease in fungicides and pesticides used by the producer (Gomez-Lim, 2002). This will in turn reduce the cost of such chemical treatments, the quantity of fungicides and pesticides in the soil and in the environment, and slow the development of fungal resistance to pesticides, thus answering current consumer demands. Fischer (2000) presented an interesting example of two cultivars ‘Rebella’ and ‘Regine’, which were bred at the institute for fruit breeding at Dresden-Pillnitz. These two dessert apples possessed a combination of resistance genes to major pests and disease like apple scab, and fireblight, including powdery mildew for ‘Rebella’. These resistances enabled an 80 % or more decrease in fungicide used for both varieties. In addition to these new resistances, these varieties are also good pollen parents for other commercial varieties, which could be a useful tool for resistance gene pyramiding. As well as their use in marker assisted breeding programmes for the development of new resistant cultivars, markers linked to resistance genes can also be used to begin fine mapping and eventual cloning of the resistance genes. Once cloned the resistance genes can then be introduced into the cultivar of interest by transformation. However, actual results show that successful transformation in apple is difficult and the expression of the resistance is highly variable in the progeny obtained (Hanke et al., 2000). Identification of resistance source Inheritance studies Genetic markers Markers assisted selection Traditional way Cloning New cultivar Fig. 1: Marker assisted selection 5 1 - Powdery Mildew Powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha (Ell. & Ev.) Salm.) is one of the most important diseases infecting apple resulting in significant economic loss by decreasing yield and fruit quality. This fungus, which is an obligate biotrophic can infect buds, blossoms, leaves, twigs and fruit (Markussen et al., 1995) with different consequences. The infection begins on the lower surface of leaves with the appearance of whitish felt-like patches (Ndabambi et al., 2000). When the fungus spreads the leaves become narrow, crinkled, stunted and brittle, twigs stop growing and become stunted, blossoms abort and contaminated buds produce the infected leaves and blossoms next year. Fruits develop russetting when the infection attains a high level. Damage caused by the disease is also dependent upon climate of the growing area (Markussen et al., 1995). Some genetic studies have been carried out on the molecular and phytopathological characterisation of this fungus (Lespinasse et al., 2000) as part of the Durable Apple Resistance in Europe (D.A.R.E.) project. The author showed that several physiological races of P. leucotricha exist in different European countries, but characterisation of the races is difficult as the fungus is an obligate biotroph. In spite of the development of an invitro method for the inoculum conservation (Lespinasse et al., 2000), results of glasshouse inoculation do not always correlate with observed field resistance (Kellerhals et al., 2000). Most of the time, the plants are classified into different phenotypic classes after natural infection, which is in turn dependent upon meteorological conditions (Janse et al., 1994). Markussen et al. (1995) demonstrated that the phenotype obtained in the first year (in field or glasshouse) is not always in agreement with the phenotype obtained in the field on older material and therefore the development of molecular markers will be important for the accurate selection of early resistant individuals. So far, six resistance genes have been identified (Alston et al., 2000) of which, two originate from wild species of apple: Pl1 in Malus robusta and Pl2 in Malus zumi (Markussen et al., 1995). The principal SCAR markers known for Pl1, which have been widely used in the past for the breeding are OPAT20450 and OPD21000. These flanking markers at 4.5 cM and 5 cM respectively, obtained by bulked segregant analysis using RAPDs have been used in marker-aided selection (Markussen et al., 1995). For Pl2, two SCAR markers: OPN18 and OPUO2, have been determined by the same method, but they are further away at 7cM and 8 cM respectively (Bus et al., 2000). In the D.A.R.E. project two other resistance genes: Plw and Pl-D12 have been mapped by the same 6 technique. Eight SCAR markers for Plw and seven for Pl-D12 have been found (Lespinasse et al., 2000). Until now, the major sources of resistance to powdery mildew came from wild Malus species. To identify different resistances to powdery mildew, a German fruit genebank at Dresden-Pillnitz has been created with wild species and hybrids and maintained without fungicide spray since 1981 (Buttner et al., 2000). 2 - Dwarfing Planting system in apple production Some centuries ago, an ideal apple tree was defined as having the lower branch high enough that a rider could pass underneath, i.e. between eight and ten metres high (Muggleston, 1994). But with the development of apple production and its growth as a worldwide crop, this definition is no longer true. Indeed global apple production has increased 54% in 30 years (1970-2000) and 31% in 10 years (1990-2000) in the world (FAO source). For such production, a high tree is not ideal in the field because of the manual harvest cost. This production increase was linked with a higher density of trees in the field. However, with the increase in the number of trees grown per hectare, producers established that fruit maturity became delayed and the development of size and colour of the fruit decreased (Widmer et al., 2001). The reduction in fruit size is negatively correlated with the number of trees per hectare, the number of fruit per tree and tree volume. This variation of fruit size due to a high planting density can be accepted for some apple cultivars which produce big fruit but not for those which have medium fruit like ‘Royal Gala’ (Weber, 2001). The number of trees per hectare equally has an impact on the growth and the yield. For example, doubling the number of trees in one area can result in a 45% decrease in trunk cross-sectional, resulting in inadequate root growth and too smaller trees (Widmer et al., 2001). For the harvest, the yield per tree is reduced but it increases per hectare. The problem is that this increase is not proportional to the number of trees in the field. So a high density system is not ideal for long term production because it does not offset the financial investment resulting from a larger number of trees. Taking into account the “optimal combination of natural, technical and financial resources”, Weber (2001) defined an optimal 7 planting density of between 3000 and 4000 trees per hectare dependent upon soil conditions and variety grown. Used of dwarfing rootstocks in apple To grow apple trees at a higher density and so reduce vegetative growth which is expensive to remove and can decrease the fruit quality and the yield, a chemical technique has been used (daminozide) (Samad et al., 1999). This treatment results in a reduction of vegetative growth, a higher fruit colour and stronger fruit buds. However, consumer preference dictates a reduction in pesticides, and a demand for more “natural” fruit. Over time breeders have observed and identified dwarfed apple trees in their natural environment which were studied for a long time, to know find how such trees could be avoided. Because in their natural state such trees are inappropriate for commercial use, the best way to introduce this character is to use this tree like a rootstock. The choice of the rootstock in apple breeding is very important because it can determine growing spread, tolerance at different soil and environment, resistance to soil disease, insects or pest, scion compatibility, fruit quality (texture, organic acid, sugar concentration, etc,) and yield. In addition, root function is also modified by soil type (O2, CO2 concentration, humidity, temperature, etc.) and the variety grafted to the rootstock (Westwood, 1993). Varieties grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks develop less vegetative growth without reduction to the yield. However, the absolute size of the mature tree graft onto the dwarf rootstock will change with soil, climate, orchard density and scion variety, which corresponds to the specific balance of the rootstockscion system (Westwood, 1993). An ideal dwarf tree habit is a height of 1.7 metres, with 8 or 10 feathers and between 0.80 and 1.10 metres above the ground (Coleman, 2000). This process of grafting rootstocks is now commonly used in apple production and many rootstocks are available to the breeder that are dwarfing (cf. table 1). One of the most commonly used rootstocks is Malling 9 (M9 see chapter Materials and Methods) which was described for the first time in a paper in 1917 (Tukey, 1964). This rootstock has improved the fruit quality, precocity and yield of the scion associate (Fischer, 2001). A very interesting study (Samad et al., 1999) compared the vegetative growth, the number of buds, flower and fruit, with the use of different interstock bridge grafts (M9 dwarfing rootstock, same cultivar or with nothing). They obtained in the second season, a higher floral density, percentage of blossom buds, number of fruits and blossoms by bud, 8 yield and a decrease of the twig length with the M9 bridge grafting than with others. The grafting treatment decreases vegetative growth and increases reproductive growth, which is amplified when the M9 rootstock is used. Nevertheless M9 has some limitations, primarily its susceptibility to the major apple pests and disease like fireblight, woolly apple aphid and brittle wood (Crassweller et al., 2001). Other dwarfing rootstocks have been developed and compared to M9. 5 rootstocks bred at the Dresden-Pillnitz institute (Fischer, 2001), which are a Pillnitzer supporter 1’®; Pillnitzer supporter 2’®; Pillnitzer supporter 3’®; Pi-Au 51-11 and Pi-Au 56-83, showed excellent fruit quality, early production, a better yield with a lower crown volume than M9, and scrab resistance. However, no fireblight resistance was observed and only medium resistance to mildew was noted. The major problem of these new rootstocks is that this result varies with the environment the tree is grown in and none of these rootstocks perform as consistently as M9. Table 1: Comparisons of apple rootstock characteristics from Pennsylvania State college of agricultural sciences web site Rootstock Size class Fire blight Collar rot VD VS MS Budagovsky 146 VD S R Malling 27 VD S R Poland 22 VD VS MR Budagovsky 491 Poland 16 VD S MR Poland 2 D S R D S R Budagovsky 9 D R R Geneva 16 D R R Geneva 65 D VS R Malling 9* D S MR Mark D S R Ottawa 3 SD R Unknown Vineland 1 SD VS S Malling 26 SD R R Geneva 11 SD R R Geneva 30 SD MR MR Malling 7 SV S VS Malling Merton 106 SV R R Malling Merton 111 SV R R Malling 2 V Unknown Unknown Seedling V Unknown Unknown Budagovsky 490 *Refers to NAKB 337 clone of M9 Size class: VD= very dwarf; D= dwarf; SD= semi-dwarf; SV= semi-vigorous; V= vigorous Resistance class: VS= very susceptible; MS= moodily susceptible; S= susceptible; R= resistant; MR= moodily resistant; VR= very resistant 9 Knowledge on genetic control of the dwarfing Little is know about the genetic control of dwarfing, and the mechanisms involved in controlling the dwarfing effect. To date, no genetic markers for genes controlling the dwarfing phenomenon have been identified in apple. Understanding the number of genes involved in controlling this trait and identifying markers for them could have a significant impact on the breeding of apple rootstocks. Alston (1976) carried out the most important study concerning the genetic determination of dwarfing. He defined three types of dwarf and analysed the segregation of each type. He concluded that several genes determined the dwarfing ability of the rootstocks. - Early dwarf: Dwarfing appears four weeks after the germination and growth until 120mm in the first season. Plants had little internode and did not survive if the winter was too rough. In twenty-one progenies, he observed three different segregation: 3:1 (vigorous : dwarf); 7:1 and 15:1. Two independent recessive genes could explain this segregation and he gave the hypothetical genotype of each parents implicated in crosses (cf. table 2). Table 2: Parental genotype assumed by observed phenotype segregation Segregation 3:1 7:1 7:1 Parent’s name 642 OR33T90 Howgate Wonder 3151 A46/28 Parent’s genotype assumed *D1d1 d3d3 or d1d1 D3d3 641 649 1002 1381 D1d1 D3d3 D1d1 d3d3 or d1d1 D3d3 15:1 A1584 James Grieve Starkrimson Starking Golden delicious Starkspur Golden Delicious Cox TSR1T187 D1d1 D3d3 * D= dominant gene; d= recessive gene However, the presence of two recessive genes did not explain the spur-type habit which seemed to be genetically independent from the early dwarf genes. The spur-type habit seemed to be linked to another recessive gene d4 which is capable of 10 replacing either d1 or d3. Therefore, the mechanism induced dwarf tree with spur-habit could be controlling by three genes with at least two at the recessive state. The progenies of one cross ‘James Grieve’ x ‘TSR1T187’ which corresponding in a segregation 3 vigorous : 1 dwarf, showed a regrowth proprieties when they were planting in field, up to two-thirds the height of normal seedlings in 50% of the plants. A similar result was obtained with the cross ‘Golden Delicious’ x ‘0-521’. Like ‘0-521’ and ‘TSR1R187’ were related, the author concluded in the possible presence of a common dominant gene for regrowth promotion carried on this both varieties. - Crinkle dwarf: This plant could grow between 300 to 600 mm in two years. They had normal internodes and small rounded crinkled leaves. This kind of dwarf tree was observed only in two progenies of the cross ‘Irish Peach’ x ‘TSR1T187’. The segregation on the progenies was 3:1 (vigorous : crinkle dwarf) which corresponding to a single recessive gene when the both parents used for the cross are vigorous. - Sturdy dwarf: This kind of dwarf could growth until one metre in three years, seldom more. The characteristics of this plant is a long juvenile period, a high number of branching, small internodes and could be selected eight weeks after the germination just before placing in field. This phenotype seemed to be control by several recessive genes at at least two loci, which could be carried by Malus robusta seedling MAL 59/1, ‘Jonathan’ and ‘Cox’. The effect of the genes was apparent at different time: the d1, d3 and d4 after 4 weeks of germination, the sturdy dwarf genes after 8 weeks, the regrowth gene in the field at about 12 weeks and the crinkle dwarf gene in the second growing season. Therefore, several genes specific to particular development stages could be involved in growth in apple. 11 3 - Introducing the research for this project The main objective of this study was to find molecular markers for the two traits of interest described previously: resistance to powdery mildew and the dwarfing ability of rootstocks. This research was carried out using Bulked Segregant Analysis (BSA) (Michelmore et al., 1991), where pools of individuals derived from a single population segregating for the character of interest, are compared using molecular markers. This method has already been used for gene identification and mapping and notably in apple breeding research (Bus et al., 2000; Gardiner et al., 1997; Markussen et al., 1995). Apple is highly heterozygous due its self-incompatible nature and so characters almost always segregate in initial crosses between two polymorphic cultivars. That is why the individuals used for this analysis were the result of a cross between two individuals and not F2, or backcross progenies like in the other biological models. Markers identified in this way using the powdery mildew and dwarfing population could, after conversion to SCAR markers become useful tools in marker assisted breeding programmes. As the work carried out on the genetic control of dwarfing is an initial investigation in this area, the results obtained will be useful in understanding the number of genes involved and generate markers to test the results in larger populations. Fig. 2: Comparison between a dwarf tree (right) and a vigorous tree (left) in the third growing year 12 MATERIALS AND METHODS 1 - Varieties used and crosses Aotea This rootstock was developed and released from the HortResearch apple rootstock breeding programme. It was selected for a good disease resistance, low fertility and clay soil (Muggleston, 1994). This rootstock is compatible with all the commercial apple cultivars, has a sound and rapid root development, earlier production, tolerance to Phytophthorum cactorum and Peniophora sacrata (root canker), reduced incidence mildew, scale and blackspot and is resistant to woolly apple aphid. Malling 9 This rootstock which was known since 1879 like Yellow Metz (Turkey, 1964), was bred at the East Malling Research Station in U.K. It is commonly used in Europe, and produces 2 to 3 metres high trees (Muggleston, 1994). The characteristics are an early bearing the first or second year planted, an early cropping, amelioration of fruit quality, resistance to apple scab and mildew, but susceptible to fire blight and woolly apple aphid (Bus, 1994). However, M9 needs a heat treatment before be used like a rootstock which is available and known as (FKV) M9 (Muggleston, 1994). Robusta 5 Robusta 5 was breed in the Arnold Arboretum in U.S and produces vigorous tree, tolerant of winter cold, shows good resistance to mildew and apple scab, and strong resistance to fire blight and woolly aphid (Bus, 1994). Cross Aotea x M9 This population has already been used to find markers linked to the woolly apple aphid (WAA) resistant gene, Er3. SCAR markers were obtained and known as OPA011250 bp, OPE011350 bp, OPO051700 bp which are at 3.3 cM, 7.6 cM and 0.8 cM respectively (Gardiner et al., 1997). 13 Cross M9 x Robusta 5 Rootstocks were generated from the M9 and Robusta 5 cross, and the Braeburn scions were grafted onto these rootstocks for phenotypic assessments. Leaves were harvested from cuttings taken from corresponding M9 and Robusta 5 individuals kept in the nursery. 2 - Populations Trees were grown in Hawkes Bay on the East Coast of the North Island in New Zealand. Leaves were taken from each individual and stored at -70 °C. Powdery Mildew (PM) This population was derived from a cross between Aotea, the resistant parent and M9 the susceptible parent. The population consisted of 283 individuals, with 151 resistant plants (0), 92 susceptible (1-5) and 43 dead (X) without determinate phenotype. The phenotype of the plants is observed in the field, where the plants are submitted to the natural pressure of PM. Therefore some plants classified as resistant could be susceptible plants that have escaped infection. 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 X 0 0+ 1s 2s 3s 4s 5s Fig.3: Segregation of the different phenotypes in the Aotea x M9 population Susceptible individuals could be divided into five classes ranging from 1 to 5 (cf. figure 3), depending on the type and extent of reaction to PM. If the plants showed a strong susceptible reaction, they are classed as highly susceptible; class 5. 14 The segregation of resistant (0) to susceptible (1-5) was significantly different from a 1:1 ratio (2obs = 13.90; p> 0.001). We would expect to observe a 1:1 ratio if the resistance to PM was determined by a single major gene. Therefore the segregation within the Aotea x M9 population indicated that the control of this resistance is due to several genes. Comparing the segregation to that expected within the population if the resistance was controlled by two genes (3:1) or three genes (5:3) showed that the segregation was significantly different from a ratio of 3:1 (2obs = 21.87; p> 0.001) but not significantly different from the ratio of 5:3 (2obs = 0.03; p> 0.50). Therefore three genes seem to be implicated in the control of the resistance to PM. However if the dead plants are considered as susceptible plants, we obtained a chi2 value that was not significantly different to a 1:1 ratio (2obs = 0.79; p> 0.30). The study of this population could give a better idea of the genetic control involved in this resistance. Dwarfing (DW) This population is a cross between M9, conventially used as a dwarfing rootstock and Robusta 5 a non-dwarfing parent. This population is small, with only 101 individuals segregating for 16 dwarf, 9 semi-dwarf, 17 intermediate and 59 vigorous. It is good to note that this is the first year of data for this population. The main objective of this study was to indicate the number of genes involve in controlling DW. However as the population is small, the results will have to be confirmed by the screening of more trees. If we look at the segregation, considering that dwarf and semi-dwarf belong to the same class and intermediate and vigorous in a second class (cf. figure 4), we obtain a 1:3 ratio (2obs = 0.01; p> 0.90) of dwarfing plus semi-dwarfing to intermediate plus vigorous. This ratio indicates that two genes could be involved in the genetic control of dwarfing. We obtained the same result when only the results for dwarfing and the vigorous individuals were used in the test (2obs = 0.06; p> 0.50). 15 Vigorous + Intermediate Dwarf + Semi-Dwarf Vigorous Intermediate Semi-dwarf Dwarf 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Fig. 4: Segregation between Dwarf and Vigorous in Robusta 5 x M9 population 3 - DNA extraction We extracted 96 samples of the population Aotea x M9. The remaining individuals of this population had been already extracted. The leaves were kept frozen with liquid nitrogen, in a plastic bag. After the leaves were ground, 2 ml of extraction buffer (cf. Appendix 1) was added to the bag. The contents of the bag was mixed and put in an eppendorf with 400 l of chloroform:octanol (24:1 v/v). Samples were mixed and incubated at 65° C for 30 minutes, timed from the last tube going in. After incubation the samples were mixed and placed on ice for 10 minutes then spun in a Sorval at 4 °C for 10 minutes (12 K). The top layer was removed, placed in a fresh tube, and 1.0 ml of ice cold isopropanol was added to each tube. The mix was left on ice for 30 minutes or more and spun in an eppendorf centrifuge for 5 minutes at full speed. After the supernatant was tipped off, the pellet was washed with ice cold 70% ETOH (1.0 ml) and left overnight in the fridge. Then ethanol was discarded and the DNA was dried in speed vacuum for approximately 3 minutes. The size of each pellet was evaluated by eye and if the pellet was small, 50 l of distilled water was put in a tube, 60 l for a medium, 75 l for the large one. The pellet was resuspended overnight in the fridge. 16 4 - DNA quantitation Two methods were used for the quantitation depending upon the sample number. When the number was less than 30 samples, a quantitation was carried out by hand. Initially a dilution of 1:5 (2 l DNA to 8 l distilled water) was made. Two further dilutions were made from this 1:5 dilution, one at 1:2 and one at 1:5 with SBx10 (Sample Buffer; cf. Appendix 1) and distilled water. After incubating for 10 minutes at 65° C and spinning briefly, the dilutions and marker lanes were loaded in a 0.9% agarose gel in 1xTAE buffer with ethidium bromide (EtBr) (1.53g agarose in 170 ml buffer; cf. Appendix 1) and run for 1 hour at 60 Volt. The concentration was determined by comparison between the DNA and a lambda phage DNA standard (concentration: 50 g/l). When the number was more than 30 samples, we used the Biomek 2000 (robot). An original dilution of 1:10 (2 l DNA to 18 l distilled water) was made. Two dilutions were made by the robot from this 1:10 dilution, one at 1:2 and one at 1:5. The plate was heated for 10 minutes at 65 C. 20 l of samples and 5 l of marker lanes, were loaded into agarose gels in 1 x TAE buffer (2.4 g agarose in 270 ml TAE buffer) at 70 V. for 1 hour. After migration, gels stained in EtBr for one hour. Again the concentration of DNA was estimated by comparing DNA dilution with the lambda standard on the gel. A 1 g/l dilution of each sample was made. 5 - Pre-screening markers Only the population derived from the cross between Aotea x M9 was pre-screened because there are at present no genes identifed for dwarfing that could be screened for the M9 x Robusta 5 population. 4 SCAR markers for known powdery mildew resistance genes were tested (cf. Table 3). 76 individuals from the Aotea x M9 population were selected on the basis of phenotype and DNA concentration (for example, individual with a DNA concentration equal to 20 g/l were not selected), both parents and two controls, one positive and one negative were also included. Products of PCR (cf. Appendix 2) were loaded onto agarose gels 17 in 1 x TAE buffer at 70 V. for 1.30 hour. After migration, gels were stained in EtBr for one hour. The correlation between marker and phenotype was then analysed. Tab. 3: SCAR markers used for the pre-screening of Aotea x M9 population. Size PM gene Parent Marker Pl1 Robusta 5 AT20 F/R 450 60 Pl2 A689 U2 F/R 1500 65-55 Plmis Mis o.p. AC20 F/R 1700 70-60 Pl2 A689 F2P2N F/R 400 52 bp Ta Notes Also detects Plmis at 2000bp 6 - Bulked Segregant Analysis (BSA) For each bulk, DNA from 12 individuals was mixed together (100 l of each dilution 1 g/l). Samples for each bulk were selected according to phenotype (cf. Appendix 3 & 4). For each population, 4 bulks were constructed: two of one extreme and two of an opposite extreme e.g. resistant versus susceptible, dwarfing versus vigorous. 520 RAPD primers, which are 10-base random sequences (Michelmore et al., 1991), were tested. 48 primers were set up at one time in a v-bottom PCR plate. 3 l of primer was added to 22 l of water, 15 l of master mix (cf. Appendix 5) and 1.5 l of bulks DNA. After add 18 l of paraffin oil, the plate was covered and placed in a PCR machine (cf. Appendix 2). PCR products were loaded onto two component gels (1.2 g agarose, 1.2 g amplisize in 270 ml TAE buffer) for two hours, put in EtBr for one hour and rinsed in distilled water for 1 hour. Fig.5: Example BSA results 18 From the results, primers were identified that amplified a band in both resistant bulks but not in the susceptible bulks or vice versa (cf. figure 5). After identifying potential primers linked to the genes by BSA, each interesting primer (12 per run), was tested on both parents and 30 individuals which composed the bulks (cf. figure 6). The presence or absence of the band of interest was scored with a plus or minus, respectively and the percentage of recombination was calculated. If the score was lower than or equal to 36 % of recombination, the primer was tested on all the individuals of the population available. 4 primers could be tested at the same time on 96 individual in a v-bottom PCR plate. Fig.6: Results with the 30 individual screen 7 – Mapping All the primers used on all the populations were tested to show if they followed Mendelian segregation with a 2 test. If such segregation was not found, we deduced the primer was probably affected by segregation distortion. The program Join Map v. 3.0 (Van Ooijen et al., 2001) was used to determine genetic linkage. Two maps were constructed for each population studied; for example an M9 map was generated from loci that were heterozygous in the M9 parent and similarly a Robusta 5 map was created from loci that were heterozygous in the Robusta 5 parent. It will be possible to integrate the two maps after further studies using co-dominant markers. The log of odds ratio (LOD score) determined the statistical significance of the results and the probability that the loci were genuinely linked rather than linked by chance. Loci linked at LOD 2 were considered not strongly linked. The Kosambi mapping function was used to determine genetic distance (Kosambi, 1944). 19 RESULTS 1 - Powdery Mildew Pre-screen markers No segregation was found in the Aotea x M9 population using primers AT 20 F/R, AC 20 F/R and F2P2N F/R. For the primer U2 F/R, half the resistant individuals possessed a band at 2000 bp and half did not (cf. table 4) but most of the susceptible individuals were missing the same band. Only four individuals possessed the band out of 38 samples. Table 4: Segregation obtained by the U2 F/R pre-screening in function of the phenotype Resistant Susceptible + 17 4 21 - 21 34 55 38 38 76 Bulked Segregant Analysis Of the 509 primers tested on the PM bulks, 38 showed some interesting results (cf. Appendix 6). After screening the primers on the 30 individuals, 9 primers appeared linked to the PM gene with a percentage of recombination lower than 35 %. For the majority, the band was present in the resistant individuals (8 of 9). The screening of all the population showed that only one primer AE10 seemed to be linked to the resistance gene. The 2000 bp band amplified by AE 10 seemed to be linked to the gene controlling PM resistance (cf. table 5). Table 5: Percentage of recombination of the primer OPAE 10 in Aotea x M9 population Band Screen on the 30 individuals Screen on the all population 500 20 % 48.20 % 1050 30 % 45.29 % 2000 36.67 % 24.89 % In order to have an idea about the number of genes involve in the genetic control of the resistance, AE 10 was also tested on the dead plants (cf. table 6). The band was present 20 in one third of the individuals. This result showed that such dead plants could not be placed with the susceptible plants and so the hypothesis of three genes involved seems to be more likely. Table 6: Absence/ presence of the 2000 bp band in the Aotea x M9 population in function of the phenotype. 0 0+ 1 2 3 4 5 X + 44* 2 11 9 16 27 7 12 128 - 102 3 3 1 3 2 4 22 140 146 5 14 10 19 29 11 34 268 *Number of individual Mapping The results of linkage analysis on loci heterozygous in Aotea showed that 2 pairs of loci were linked, one at LOD 10 and the other at LOD 3. The other loci were unlinked. However, none of these loci were linked to the resistance gene. JoinMap linked the locus AE 102000 that was tested on more individuals, to the resistance gene at LOD 10. The estimated distance between this locus and the gene was 24.9 cM. None of the loci heterozygous in M9 were linked to the resistance gene. 2 - Dwarfing Bulked Segregant Analysis As the number of dwarfing individuals was low some individuals were included in a single bulk more than once (cf. Appendix 7). The BSA showed 75 primers were interesting. Of these 75 primers, 27 were tested on all the population available (cf. table 7). 2 primers, RAPD 30 and RAPD 35, were not tested because the new stock received, did not work. A DNA ladder 100 bp was used for determinate the interesting band’s position. For this population, some primers were tested on all the population whenever the recombination percentage was high because no markers were already identified for dwarfing and because the segregation of the band was interesting. For some primers, the band seemed to be strongly linked with the dwarf individual (e.g. 4 plus and 11 minus) but not with the vigorous (e.g. 7 plus and 8 minus), and vice versa (cf. table 8). 21 Table 7: List of primers used on all the population Primer Band Screen on Screen on Size 30 individuals all the population (bp) RAPD 2 RAPD 3 RAPD 6 RAPD 7 RAPD 8 RAPD 9 RAPD 10 RAPD 13 RAPD 14 RAPD 16 RAPD 19 RAPD 21 RAPD 22 RAPD 26 RAPD 29 RAPD 30 RAPD 31 Primer 27.27 27.27 31.82 30 18.18 31.03 36.36 34.48 36.36 34.48 30 23.33 36.36 30 40 30 36.67 33.33 33.33 36.67 46.67 31.51 37.84 44 36.23 33.8 41.89 36.48 37.33 44.59 31.95 26.67 33.33 32 41.89 28 Not tested 37.33 37.33 21.33 Screen on Size 30 individuals RAPD 35 RAPD 39 RAPD 41 RAPD 46 RAPD 48 RAPD 50 RAPD 54 RAPD 55 RAPD 56 RAPD 68 RAPD 69 RAPD 75 700 300 700 700 400 700 900 1100 450 700 1500 1100 600 1500 1500 500 600 1000 900 Screen on all the population % Recombination (bp) % Recombination 700 400 1300 2000 700 1500 1200 2000 700 1200 500 1200 1000 300 900 1300 800 700 800 1500 Band 20 40 40 48.27 48.28 41.38 34.48 24.14 33.33 26.67 36.67 30 36.67 27.27 30 26.67 30 36.36 Not tested 47.3 45.95 45.33 44 46.66 45.33 26.67 37.33 40 46.66 42.67 49.33 33.8 20 34.66 37.5 30.66 Table 8: Example of primer with a high percentage of recombination; RAPD 39 (700bp) Dwarfing Vigorous + 4 7 11 - 11 8 19 15 15 30 These kinds of primers were tested on more individuals to see if this segregation stayed the same when all the individuals were screened. 6 primers: RAPD 6, 10, 16, 26, 41700 bp & 900 bp, 54 and 551500 bp, upon the screening of more individuals, showed that these primers did not amplify bands linked to dwarfing. However, 8 other primers: RAPD 7, 14, 22, 39 300bp & 700 bp, 41400 bp & 1100 bp, 50 and 55600 bp, kept this pattern of segregation after the screening. We found the same kind of segregation in the primers RAPD 2, 8 and 48, which had initially a low percentage of recombination. Primers where the presence of a band was linked to dwarfing and the absence to vigorous and vice versa were used in linkage analysis. 22 Mapping For the Robusta 5 data, two main groups, and three pairs of linked loci were obtained with JoinMap, with the other loci unlinked. In one of the main groups, the eleven loci remained together up to LOD 3. When the LOD score was increased one locus was eliminated from the linkage group, and the others stayed together until LOD 9. In this group a high number of loci showed a segregation distortion (8 of 11). In the other main group, five loci were linked together up to LOD 2. When the LOD score was increased, the group of loci broke up into unlinked loci. The mapping of the main group was done by eye, because the software was not able to do this, probably because of segregation distortion observed in these loci. The dwarfing locus could not be positioned on this main linkage group, shown in figure 7A. RAPD 211000 RAPD 91500 1.9 RAPD 751100 12.4 14.9 DW1 RAPD 291300 10.3 RAPD 31700 2.9 7.3 RAPD 191200 7.9 RAPD 46450 3.9 RAPD 19500 7.9 RAPD 68600 RAPD 691000 A B Fig. 7: Genetic maps found with JoinMap software, estimated distances were expressed in cM. A: Robusta 5 map; B: M9 map For the M9 map, two groups of 4 and 2 loci respectively were obtained with the JoinMap software. Loci within these two groups were linked at LOD 10. The other loci were found to be unlinked. We obtained the map showed in the figure 7B. Two loci flanked the dwarf gene at 14.9 cM and 7.9 cM respectively. 23 DISCUSSION Powdery Mildew The pre-screening of Aotea x M9 population showed that Pl1 and Pl2 did not seem to be present in this population. For the resistance gene Plmis, the primer AC 20 was not linked to the resistance phenotype, which suggested the probable absence of this gene. However, with the primer U2, the band (2000 bp) explained susceptible the individuals but only half of the resistant. This result could mean that the gene Plmis was present in this population. For verifying the presence of this gene, the screening of more individuals will be required. However, the absence of link between the SCAR markers and the phenotypes of individuals tested cannot allow as to conclude that the corresponding genes were not present in the populations studied. Indeed, each SCAR markers was developed for a particular population, and so, the gene could be in the population without the associated marker. The result with the primer AE10 on all the population including the dead plants showed that the hypothesis of three genes was more likely to explain the resistance to powdery mildew in this population. In this case, individuals required a dominant allele at one locus (i.e. A) to be resistant. If individuals were homozygous for recessive alleles at this locus then dominant alleles were required at two additional loci (B and C) for expression of resistance to powdery mildew. This could happen if, in the absence of A, B codes for a product, which is necessary in the resistance process but alone is not enough to result in resistance, therefore requiring the additional product of C. The mapping showed that the primer AE102000 bp was strongly linked to the resistance gene because it stayed linked at LOD 10 and was 24.9 cM from the gene of interest. The AE102000 bp locus, although not close to the resistance gene will be helpful for future studies, to place new loci. Furthermore, this genetic marker is the first one identified for powdery mildew resistance in Aotea. Plants were classified into different phenotypic classes after observation of the plants in field which had been submitted to the natural disease pressure of the fungus. This casts doubt on the real phenotype of the plant. Indeed, a plant could be classified as resistant class but actually be susceptible because it had escaped infection. This uncertainty could be a 24 problem in the BSA technique, because we were not totally sure of the phenotype of the individuals used to construct the bulks. If the number of misclassified individuals is low, the effect on the BSA result is minimal and markers could be found, but if many individuals were misclassified could mean that the bulks were not representative of the true resistant and susceptible individuals. An answer to this problem will be the development of an inoculation method, but this will be hard to realise because powdery mildew is an obligate biotrophic and because results in the glasshouse do not always correlate with observed field resistance (Kellerhals et al., 2000). The evaluation of the phenotype over several years could be a way to limit the number of misclassified individuals. However, the level of infection depends of the meteorological conditions and the fungus race, which could vary each year. Dayton (1997) reported the existence of a highly resistant cultivar which showed susceptibility in meteorological conditions highly favourable to the pathogen. A middle phenotype could therefore be more appropriate. Dwarfing The analysis of the phenotypic segregation in dwarfing population M 9 x Robusta 5 showed that two genes could be involved in this mechanism. After simplification of the number of classes (dwarfing + semi-dwarfing versus intermediate + vigorous), three hypothetical model could be proposed to explain this segregation (cf. figure 8). Model 1: This model was based on the existence of two genes with recessive alleles in the dwarfing parent and a vigorous parent, which was heterozygous for the two genes. The individuals in the progenies were vigorous if they had at least one dominant vigorous allele. This model is in accord with the work of Alston (1976) on the segregation of early dwarf. 25 Model 1 Dwarfing (DW) Vigorous (V) M9 x Robusta 5 aa bb Aa Bb Aa Bb : Aa bb : aa Bb : aa bb V DW DW expressed when homozygous for recessive alleles at DW locus Model 2 Dwarfing (DW) Vigorous (V) M9 x Robusta 5 Aa bb aa Bb Aa Bb : Aa bb : aa Bb : aa bb V DW V V V expressed when dominant allele B, overcomes A, the DW allele. Model 3 Dwarfing (DW) M9 Vigorous (V) x Robusta 5 Aa Bb aa bb Aa Bb : Aa bb : aa Bb : aa bb DW V DW expressed when dominant allele at both loci A and B Fig. 8: Hypothetical segregation model for explain the 3 : 1 ratio in the population M 9 x Robusta 5 26 Model 2: In this model, dwarfing phenotype was determined by a dominant allele (i.e. A) which is present at the heterozygous state in the dwarfing parent and another gene with two recessive alleles. The vigorous parent did not present the dwarf allele and therefore had recessive alleles for this gene, but had a dominant allele (i.e. B) that determinate the vigorous character at heterozygous state. In the progenies, individuals were vigorous if they had the recessive alleles for the two genes, the dominant allele B and the recessive allele for the gene A, or when the dominant allele B overcame the dwarfing dominant allele A. The presence of the dominant dwarf allele and the absence of the vigourous allele B resulted in the dwarf phenotype. Model 3: The last model explained the dwarf phenotype by the presence of two dominant alleles at two loci (i.e. A and B) in the dwarfing parent at heterozygous state. For obtain the dwarf phenotype in the progenies the both dominant alleles was required. The individuals were vigorous when they had one of the dominant alleles or the both recessive alleles. The plants from the cross M9 x Robusta 5 were phenotyped this year for the first time. Therefore, the classification of each plant was linked to the environmental conditions in the field (soil, climate, etc.) and the growth rate could be variable according to the individual. The segregation of the marker loci showed that the semi-dwarf individuals could be grouped with the dwarfing in a same phenotypic class. However, the intermediate individuals seemed to be a mix between the dwarfing and the vigorous plants. The DW1 locus on the M9 map shown in figure 7B, was placed initially on basis of the dwarfing and semi-dwarfing individuals. The locus remained in the same position and approximate distance when the vigorous individuals were introduced. However, some vigorous individuals (10) had the M9 alleles and were therefore expected to belong to the dwarf class. These individuals are probably vigorous due to a second gene involved in this mechanism and could be used in further studies to identify markers for the predicted second gene. In addition, the semi-dwarf individuals showed the M9 genotype at marker loci surrounding DW1 and could be grouped in the dwarf class, the intermediate individuals were a mix between M9 or Robusta 5 genotype. This result confirmed the previous hypothesis of two phenotypic classes. 27 The dwarfing gene could not be positioned on the Robusta 5 map, because the linkage was not clear. More data is necessary to place DW1 on this map. From the linkage data of the Robusta 5 map, we might predict its position to be above the RAPD 291300. The M9 x Robusta 5 population was also small with few dwarf individuals and therefore, results obtained by this study will have to be confirm on a larger sample. The phenotypic classification needs to be repeated over several years to confirmed the hypothesis of these two classes and permit the accurate classification of intermediate individuals in one of two classes. Tree phenotypes were determined this year at the end of their second growing season in the orchard so the trees were 3 years old. It is possible that the trees will change phenotype as they become older and accumulate different chemical processes. Larger visual differences between trees will facilitate the classification of the intermediate individuals and make it easier to classify individual as dwarf or vigorous. The study carried out by Alston (1976) involved a higher number of genes than our model, and their effect occurred at different stages of plant development. Our models of two genes could be simplistic, but we need to understand what happens at the physiological level to have a better understanding of the dwarfing mechanism and see more clearly the genetic process that could involved in the dwarfing phenomenon. The genetic markers identified in M9 as linked to the dwarf phenotype in this study are the first markers to be identified as associated with dwarfing. These results will form the basis of a broad investigation into the dwarf phenomenon. The use of the BSA method associated with the RAPD technique has allowed the testing of a high number of primers (520) in a limited time. This method can be applied on individuals coming from one cross segregating for the gene of interest. In addition, as apple is highly heterozygous, it is possible to carry out this type of analysis on a F1 population and this is a great advantage for plant with long generation time. However, this method is based on the plants phenotype, and therefore the success of this technique is dependent upon the confidence we can place on the different phenotypic classes. For example, with the powdery mildew resistance, we were not sure that the resistant plants were really resistant or if they had just escaped to the infection. The RAPD technique is fast and does not need a high quantity of DNA and is cost effective. A disadvantage of this method is its reproducibility, i.e. the ability to repeat the 28 results obtained with this technique between the different laboratories. However, this can be overcome by converting the close primers linked to the gene of interest to SCAR markers, which are less sensitive to variations in amplification conditions due to longer sequences. Such markers will be tested on all the populations to confirm the results obtained. The work carried out on powdery mildew resistance as part of this study is the beginning of a long process which could result in markers for breeders to use in pyramiding genes of interest. However, even if polygenic resistance is more difficult to break down, good management of this resistance be required to guarantee a durable resistance. Several authors (Fischer, 2000; Jones, 2001) advise cultivating mixed plants in a single area which have different susceptibility to the pathogen (i.e. resistant and tolerant plants) to preserve the stability of the host-pathogen system. The existence of a population heterozygous for resistance genes but which has the same commercial quality could decrease the epidemic rate, the susceptibility at virulent race of pathogen and the fitness of the parasite. Conversely, if the pathogen infects a plant which has a specific gene of resistance, it will evolve until it acquires the corresponding avirulence gene. However, such a mixed population is hard to obtain with apple tree due to the use of clones in production and in addition known resistances have been already exploited for several commercial cultivars. Breeders now need new types of resistance and this is one of the main interests of the conservatory like the Fruit Genebank at Dresden-Pillnitz in Germany, which is used for research into powdery mildew resistance. In this institute, they evaluate the resistance proprieties and the fruit quality of wild species and hybrids maintained without fungicide spray since 1981 (Fischer, 2000). This condition allows the conservation of the genetic diversity of different varieties of apple tree and help to identify new resistance genes. The use of fungicides does not seem to be totally avoided. In fact, two or three applications of pesticides when the infection is greater could avoid significant infection and the resultant breakdown of the resistance (Fischer, 2000). The gene bank could be a valuable reservoir of varieties that may be of interest as the market evolves and breeders needs change. The research of molecular markers linked to resistance genes, is part of a more global effort, which includes the characterisation of the resistance status of a large number of apple varieties, analysis of the variability of the pathogens, determination of the genetic mechanisms involved in resistance, the development of new breeding strategies and the way these new resistant cultivars are perceived by the consumer. 29 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank all the staff of HortResearch who was very friendly with me and helped me to fell like at home. The Dr Sue Gardiner, who accepted me in her laboratory and gave me the opportunity to lived in New Zealand for few month. Jo and Heather for them friendship and the many laugh we had together, and Mike for his apparition time to time, it was a pleasure to work with you. A very special thanks to Rachel, who supported me during the manipulation and the report redaction. I very enjoyed working with you, thanks for your smile, your friendship, your explication on English expression (or vocabulary), and your availability with all the questions I had... I was expected a supervisor, I had found more than that, I found a friend. I will miss you…. I would thanks my family for their support, my friends from the DESS, thanks for your nice e-mail, I hope that we will keep in touch, and Raphael for your visit surprise, your friendship and the moments “stay Zen” in the south. And the last but not the least, is for you Marion, thanks for all the happy moments we had, your friendship and your support during all the stage. It was a pleasure to live and visit the country with you. I cannot summarise in few words all that I would express to you and what you represent now for me… So thanks… Audrey 30 REFERENCES Alston F. H., 1976. Dwarfing and lethality in apple. Euphytica 25: 505-514 Alston F. H., Philips K. L., Evans K. M., 2000. A Malus gene list. Acta Hort. 538: 561-570 Bus V., 1994. Pest and disease resistance in pipfruit rootstocks. The Orchardist 67(9): 57-60 Bus V, Gardiner S. E., 1998. Pest and disease resistance in apple: I Sources of genetic resistance. The Orchardist 71(5): 54-55 Bus V., Ranatunga C., Gardiner S. E., Bassett H., Rikkerink E., 2000. Marker assisted selection for pest and disease resistance in the New Zealand apple-breeding programme. Acta Hort. 538: 541-547 Buttner R., Geibel M., Fisher C., 2000. The genetic potential of Scab and Mildew resistance in Malus wild species. Acta Hort. 538: 67-70 Coleman R., 2000. High density orchards: the way of the future? Nelson Malborough Farming, country Media Ltd. http://www.ts.co.nz/~rick/nmf/articles/density.html Crassweller R. M., Smith D. E., Tukey L. D., 2001. Performance of ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Delicious’ apples on dwarfing rootstocks. Acta Hort. 557: 47-53 Dayton D. F., 1977. Genetic immunity to apple mildew incited by Podosphaera leucotricha. Hortscience 12(3): 225-226 Fischer C., 2000. Rebella and Regine – New multiple resistant apple cultivar from the institute for the fruit breeding at Dresden-Pillnitz. Acta Hort. 538: 703-705 Fischer M., 2001. New dwarfing and semi-dwarfing Pillintz apple and pear rootstocks. Acta Hort. 557: 55-61 31 Gardiner S. E., Bassett H., Bus V., Malone M., Tustin S., Ball R., Rikkerink E., Forster R., 1997. A genetic map around the Er3 gene conferring resistance to woolly apple aphid from Malus sieboldii. Abstract Plant and Animal Genome V, Jan 12-16, San Diego, CA, USA Gardiner S. E., 2002. Mapping apple pest and disease resistance genes in the genomics age. 4Th conference of women in the sciences, Auckland, New Zealand, Unpublished, 6 pp. Gomez-Lim M. A., 2002. Genes involved in plant defence mechanisms in Fruit and vegetable biotechnology, edited by Valpuesta V. Woodhead Publishing Limited, 338 pp. Hanke V., Hiller I., Klotzsche G., Winkler K., Egerer J., Richter K., Norelli J. L., Aldwinckle H. S., 2000. Transformation in apple for increase disease resistance. Acta Hort. 538: 611-616 Janse J., Verhaegh J. J., Den Nijs Q. P. M., 1994. Early selection for partial resistance to powdery mildew Podosphaera leucotricha (Ell. & Ev.) Salm. in apple progenies. Euphytica 77:7-9 Jones J. D. G., 2001. Putting knowledge of plant disease resistance genes to work. Plant Biology 4: 281-287 Kellerhals M., Dolega E., Koller B., Gessler C., 2000. Advances in marker-assisted apple breeding. Acta Hort. 538: 535-540 Kosambi D. D., 1944. The estimation of map distances from recombination values. Ann. Eugen 12: 172-175 Lawson D. M., Hemmat M., Weeden N. F., 1995. The use of molecular markers to analyse the inheritance of morphological and developmental traits in apple. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 120(3): 532-537 Lespinasse Y., Durel C. E., Laurens F., Chevalier M., Pinet C., Parisi L., 2000. A European project D.A.R.E. – Durable apple resistance in Europe (Fairs5 CT97-3898) Durable resistance of apple scab and powdery mildew: one-step more towards an environmental friendly orchard. Acta Hort. 538: 197-200 32 Markussen T., Kruger J., Schmidt H., Dunemann F., 1995. Identification of PCR-based markers linked to powdery mildew resistance gene Pl1 from Malus Robusta in cultivated apple. Plant Breeding 114: 530-534 Michelmore R.W., Paran I. And Kesseli R.V., 1991. Identification of markers linked to disease-resistant genes by bulked segregant analysis: a rapid method to detect markers in specific genomic regions by using segregating populations. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. Vol. 88: 9828-9832 Muggleston S., 1994. Outstanding new apple rootstocks. HortResearch Publication. 2 pp. Ndabambi S. L., Jaffray A. E., Gupta D., Rees D. J. G., Labuschagne I. F., Schmidt K., 2000. Pre-screening for mildew resistance in apples: Development of a marker-assisted selection technique. Acta Hort. 538: 593-595 Samad A., McNeil D. L., Khan Z. U., 1999. Effect of interstock bridge grafting (M9 dwarfing rootstock and same cultivar cutting) on vegetative growth, reproductive growth and carbohydrate composition of mature apple trees. Scientia Horticulturae 79: 23-38 Tukey H. B., 1964. Dwarfed fruit trees. Cornell University Press. 576 pp. Van Ooijen J. W., Voorrips R. E., 2001. Join Map 3.0, software for the calculation of genetic linkage maps. Plant Research International, Wageningen, The Netherlands. Weber M. S., 2001. Optimising the tree density in apple orchards on dwarf rootstocks. Acta Hort. 557:229-233 Westwood M. N., 1993. Temperate-Zone Pomology physiology and culture, Third edition. Timber press 523 pp. Widmer A., Krebs C., 2001. Influence of planting density and tree form on yield and fruit quality of ‘ Golden delicious’ and ‘Royal gala’ apple. Acta Hort. 557: 234-239 33 Internet sites FAO http://apps.fao.org/cgi-bin/nph-db.pl?subset=agriculture Pennsylvania State college of agricultural sciences http://tfpg.cas.psu.edu/tables/table1-7.htm 34 APPENDIX Appendix 1 Extraction buffer (for 1 L) Sorbitol 2M Tris pH 7.5 1M 70 mls 220 mls EDTA 0.5M NaCl 5M 44 mls 160 mls cTAB 8g (hexadecyl trimethylammonium bromide; break down of cells) n-lauroyl sarcosine distilled water 10 g (sodium salt) 500 mls TAE buffer With ethidium bromide TAE 40 mls (242 g Tris, 57.1 ml Aceolic acid, 100 mls EDTA) ethidium bromide (0.5 mg/ml) distilled water 3 mls 1957 mls Without ethidium bromide TAE 40 mls (242 g Tris, 57.1 ml Aceolic acid, 100 mls EDTA) distilled water 1960 mls Sample buffer 10 x Concentration (3 mls) EDTA 0.5M 1.25 ml SDS 10 % (warm to dissolve) 80 l Ficoll 1.5 g Bromophenol Blue 0.4 % 315 l (add KOH to dissolve) distilled water 1.75 ml 35 Appendix 2 PCR programme Pre-screenning With one Ta With a touch-down Stage 01 (1 cycle) Stage 01 (1 cycle) T = 94° C T = 94° C Time = 2'45'' Time = 2'45'' Stage 02 (40 cycles) Stage 02 (20 cycles) T = 94° C Time = 0'55'' T = 94° C Time = 0'55'' T = Ta Time = 0'55'' T = Ta 1 Time = 0'55'' T = 72° C Time = 1'39'' T = 72° C Time = 1'39'' Stage 03 (1 cycle) Stage 03 (20 cycles) T = 72° C T = 94° C Time = 0'55'' T = Ta 2 Time = 0'55'' T = 72° C Time = 1'39'' Time = 10'00'' Stage 04 (1 cycle) T = 72° C Time = 10'00'' RAPD Stage 01 (1 cycle) T = 94° C Time = 2'45'' Stage 02 (40 cycles) T = 94° C Time = 0'55'' T = 37 Time = 0'55'' T = 72° C Time = 1'39'' Stage 03 (1 cycle) T = 72° C Time = 10'00'' 36 Appendix 3 Bulks composition Phenotype AK 840 0 AK 845 DNA concentration DNA concentration Individual Phenotype 250 AK 813 5 150 0 100 AK 841 5 100 AK 878 0 250 AK 876 5 40 AK 879 0 100 AK 887 4 250 AK 881 0 200 AK 889 5 40 AK 882 0 100 AK 894 5 80 AK 883 0 175 AK 916 5 60 AK 888 0 100 AK 918 5 100 AK 898 0 200 AK 920 4 250 AK 906 0 250 AK 947 5 150 AK 923 0 200 AN 8 5 250 AK 926 0 175 AN 16 5 70 AK 861 0 90 AK 846 4 80 AK 862 0 90 AK 897 4 80 AK 880 0 90 AK 899 4 40 AK 904 0 100 AK 903 4 100 AK 905 0 100 AK 915 4 100 AK 914 0 100 AK 930 4 60 AK 917 0 100 AK 932 4 70 AK 922 0 100 AK 946 4 60 AK 945 0 100 AK 998 4 80 AK 948 0 90 AN 2 4 80 AK 952 0 90 AN 3 4 200 AK 955 0 90 AN 31 4 70 ng/ul Suceptible Bulk 1 Individual Susceptible Bulk 2 Resistant Bulk 2 Resistant Bulk 1 Aotea x M9 ng/ul 37 Appendix 4 Bulks composition M9 x Robusta 5 DNA concentration Individual ng /ul DNA concentration ng /ul 100 AJ 56 110 AJ 59 90 AJ 60 100 AJ 74 80 AJ 71 80 AJ 81 100 AJ 79 60 AJ 86 90 AJ 99 60 AJ 93 100 AJ 108 100 AJ 113 100 AJ 116 50 AJ 118 70 AJ 138 80 AJ 147 100 AJ 177 110 AJ 158 50 AJ 195 40 AJ 178 100 AJ 46 100 AJ 196 110 AJ 50 100 AJ 76 120 AJ 71 80 AJ 83 90 AJ 82 100 AJ 100 70 AJ 84 70 AJ 109 80 AJ 115 100 AJ 121 80 AJ 116 50 AJ 135 40 AJ 119 60 AJ 141 80 AJ 134 120 AJ 156 80 AJ 177 110 AJ 168 100 AJ 183 70 AJ 190 100 AJ 191 90 Dwarfing Bulk 1 AJ 41 Dwarfing Bulk 2 Vigorous Bulk 2 Vigorous Bulk 1 Individual 38 Appendix 5 Master mix for 384 BSA set up (for 48 primers) Distilled water 5157 l Formamide 1% 51.6 l 10 x PCR buffer 706 l dNTPs 353 l Magnesium TAQ polymerase (50 units) 173.05 l 40 l 39 Appendix 6 Primers used during the experimentation on Aotea x M9 population Interesting Primers with BSA OPAA 9 OPAA 10 OPAB 3 OPAB 5 OPAD 4 OPAD 19 OPAE 10 OPAG 7 OPAI 13 OPAI 17 OPAJ 3 OPAL 1 OPAL 13 OPAL 20 OPAP 7 OPAP 19 OPAQ 4 OPAQ 20 OPAQ 19 OPAR 2 OPAR 4 OPAR 5 OPAR 9 OPAR 15 OPAR 17 OPAR 17 OPAR 18 OPAR 19 OPAR 20 OPAN 20 OPAS 14 OPAS 19 OPAT 8 OPAT 13 OPAU 1 OPAU 2 OPAV 2 OPAW 15 OPAX 2 Band presents in Vigorous Dwarfing X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Band size bp 1400 500/1200 1500 1200 1100 600 500/1050/2000 1500/2000 300 1500 1000 900 500 400 1500 2000 900 500/600 500 1300/1500 900/1300 500/1000 400/800 800 1300 800/1000 400 1100 1300 400/800 2000 600 1000 1750/2000 900 1500 1100 1000 600/1100 Interesting primers with screen on 30 individuals Band size bp X X X 900 600/1000 500/900/1050/2000 X 300/400/900/1000 X X 1000/1300/1500 1000 X X 700/1200/1300 400/800 X 1400 X 400/700 Note: The size of the band of interest in some cases varied between the BSA and the screen on the 30 individuals. Also some bands, which were not observed with BSA were noted in the screen 32 as having a pattern of interest and were therefore scored. 40 Appendix 7 Primers used during the experimentation on M9 x Dwarfing population Interesting primers with BSA Band presents in Vigorous RAPD 1 Band size Dwarfing Bp X 400/800 Interesting primers with screen on 30 individuals Band size Bp RAPD 2 X 1500/1750 X 700 RAPD 3 X 400/800/1500/1750 X 400 RAPD 4 X 400/1500 RAPD 4 X 1300 RAPD 5 X 2000 RAPD 6 X 1200 X 1300 RAPD 7 X 600 X 2000 RAPD 8 X 800 X 700 RAPD 9 X 800 X 1500 2000 X 1200 RAPD 10 RAPD 11 X X 500/900/1400 RAPD 12 X 2000 RAPD 13 X 1500/2000 X 2000 500/1300 X 800 X 1200 X 500/1200 RAPD 14 X RAPD 14 X 1500 RAPD 15 X 500 RAPD 16 X 1400 RAPD 17 X 1300 RAPD 18 X 1400 RAPD 19 X 500/1100 RAPD 20 X 1500 RAPD 21 X 1100 X 1000 RAPD 22 X 400/1200 X 300 X 900 RAPD 23 X 1500/2000 RAPD 24 X 1000/1500/2000 RAPD 25 X 500 RAPD 26 X 600/1000 RAPD 27 X 500 RAPD 28 X 1500 RAPD 29 X 900 X 1300 RAPD 30 X 600 X 800 41 Appendix 7 (Next) Primers used during the experimentation on M9 x Dwarfing population (Next) Interesting primers Band presents in Band size with BSA Vigorous RAPD 31 X 1000/1500/1750 RAPD 32 X 1100/1200/1500 RAPD 33 Dwarfing X bp X 700 X 300/700 300/1500 X 400/900/1100 900 X 700 X 450 X 700 X 1500 1500 X 1100 RAPD 35 X 300 RAPD 36 X 600 RAPD 37 X 400 900 RAPD 38 X 500 RAPD 39 X 800 RAPD 41 X X RAPD 41 X 1500 RAPD 42 X 400/600/800 RAPD 43 X 600 RAPD 44 RAPD 44 X X RAPD 45 2000 700 X 1400 RAPD 45 X 700 RAPD 46 X 1100 RAPD 47 X 1300 RAPD 48 X 500 RAPD 49 X 400/500/600 RAPD 50 X 900/1000/1300 RAPD 51 X 800 RAPD 52 X 600/1000 RAPD 53 X 500 RAPD 54 Bp 1300 500 RAPD 40 individuals Band size 700/800/1500 X X with screen on 30 X RAPD 34 RAPD 38 Interesting primers X RAPD 55 X 1500 X 600/1500 RAPD 56 X 1500 X 1500 RAPD 57 X 400 42 Appendix 7 (Next) Primers used during the experimentation on M9 x Dwarfing population (Next) Interesting primers with BSA Band presents in Vigorous RAPD 58 Band size Dwarfing bp X 1500 RAPD 59 X 600 RAPD 60 X 800 RAPD 61 X 700/900 RAPD 62 X 600/1200 RAPD 63 X 400 RAPD 64 X 1100 RAPD 65 X 700 RAPD 66 X 600 RAPD 67 X 400 RAPD 68 X 500 RAPD 69 X Interesting primers with screen on 30 individual Band size bp X 500/600 X 1000 X 900 1750/2000 RAPD 69 X 1100 RAPD 70 X 500/600 RAPD 71 X 2000 RAPD 72 X 1500 RAPD 73 X 1300 RAPD 74 X 800 RAPD 75 X 1100 43