BackgroundPurple carrots accumulate large quantities of anthocyanins in their roots and leaves. These flavonoid pigments possess antioxidant activity and are implicated in providing health benefits. Informative, saturated linkage maps associated with well characterized populations segregating for anthocyanin pigmentation have not been developed. To investigate the genetic architecture conditioning anthocyanin pigmentation we scored root color visually, quantified root anthocyanin pigments by high performance liquid chromatography in segregating F2, F3 and F4 generations of a mapping population, mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) onto a dense gene-derived single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based linkage map, and performed comparative trait mapping with two unrelated populations.ResultsRoot pigmentation, scored visually as presence or absence of purple coloration, segregated in a pattern consistent with a two gene model in an F2, and progeny testing of F3-F4 families confirmed the proposed genetic model. Purple petiole pigmentation was conditioned by a single dominant gene that co-segregates with one of the genes conditioning root pigmentation. Root total pigment estimate (RTPE) was scored as the percentage of the root with purple color.All five anthocyanin glycosides previously reported in carrot, as well as RTPE, varied quantitatively in the F2 population. For the purpose of QTL analysis, a high resolution gene-derived SNP-based linkage map of carrot was constructed with 894 markers covering 635.1 cM with a 1.3 cM map resolution. A total of 15 significant QTL for all anthocyanin pigments and for RTPE mapped to six chromosomes. Eight QTL with the largest phenotypic effects mapped to two regions of chromosome 3 with co-localized QTL for several anthocyanin glycosides and for RTPE. A single dominant gene conditioning anthocyanin acylation was identified and mapped.Comparative mapping with two other carrot populations segregating for purple color indicated that carrot anthocyanin pigmentation is controlled by at least three genes, in contrast to monogenic control reported previously.ConclusionsThis study generated the first high resolution gene-derived SNP-based linkage map in the Apiaceae. Two regions of chromosome 3 with co-localized QTL for all anthocyanin pigments and for RTPE, largely condition anthocyanin accumulation in carrot roots and leaves. Loci controlling root and petiole anthocyanin pigmentation differ across diverse carrot genetic backgrounds.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-1118) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are major pests attacking carrots (Daucus carota) worldwide, causing galling and forking of the storage roots, rendering them unacceptable for market. Genetic resistance could significantly reduce the need for broadspectrum soil fumigants in carrot production. In this study, genetic resistance to Meloidogyne incognita was mapped. Three diverse sources of resistance, from Syria (HM), Europe (SFF) and South America (Br1091), were identified. Two F 2 mapping populations were developed using these parents, (Br1091 9 HM1) and (SFF 9 HM2), as well as a segregating population derived from the self-pollination of a HM plant (HM3). Analysis revealed four QTLs conditioning resistance in Br1091 9 HM1, three in SFF 9 HM2, and three in HM3. A consensus genetic map of the three populations revealed five non-overlapping QTLs for M. incognita resistance, one each on carrot chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 8, and 9. One QTL was present in all three populations, in the same region of chromosome 8 as Mj-1 which imparts resistance to M. javanica.

Summary Three pairs of longitudinal enterotomies were performed in the small colon of 10 ponies. Each pair consisted of one enterotomy through the antimesenteric band and one through the sacculation. The ponies were destroyed 96 h after surgery. The enterotomies in the two sites were compared for: speed of surgery, adhesions, bursting wall tension, neovascularisation by micro‐angiography, and histological reaction. Enterotomies made through the antimesenteric band were superior because they were quicker to perform, stronger, more accurately apposed, and had less inflammation than those made through the sacculation.