The genetic map of finger millet, Eleusine coracana

Abstract

Abstract Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), ampliWed fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), expressed-sequenced tag (EST), and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to generate a genetic map of the tetraploid Wnger millet (Eleusine coracana subsp. coracana) genome (2n = 4x = 36). Because levels of variation in Wnger millet are low, the map was generated in an inter-subspeciWc F2 population from a cross between E. coracana subsp. coracana cv. Okhale-1 and its wild progenitor E. coracana subsp. africana acc. MD-20. Duplicated loci were used to identify homoeologous groups. Assignment of linkage groups to the A and B genome was done by comparing the hybridization patterns of probes in Okhale-1, MD20, and Eleusine indica acc. MD-36. E. indica is the A genome donor to E. coracana. The maps span 721 cM on the A genome and 787 cM on the B genome and cover all 18 Wnger millet chromosomes, at least partially. To facilitate the use of marker-assisted selection in Wnger millet, a Wrst set of 82 SSR markers was developed. The SSRs were identiWed in small-insert genomic libraries generated using methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes. Thirty-one of the SSRs were mapped. Application of the maps and markers in hybridizationbased breeding programs will expedite the improvement of Wnger millet.