An assessment of the application of DNA markers to studies of genetic diversity and marker assisted selection in sugarcane : SRDC Final report SD99001

Abstract

The project objectives were as follows:Adapt and assess various molecular marker technologies including RFLPs, RAPDs, AFLPs and SSR-PCRs for use in sugarcane; assess levels of diversity in t he Meringa breeding cane collection; assess levels of diversity within 200 s. officinarum accessions, recently introduced into Australia; assess levels of diversity within Erianthus and between Erianthus and Saccharum species, utilising accessions from the Meringa germplasm collection; confirm and analyse new Erianthus introgression populations; conduct crosses to establish populations for use in subsequent development of marker-assisted selection in sugarcane and verify authenticity of crosses by molecular marker analysis of progeny; assess the genetic integrity of sugarcane seedlings regenerated from tissue culture using molecular markers.