Molecular Markers Associated With Resistance to the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne Arenaria From Vitis Mustangensis

Abstract

Damages caused by root-knot nematodes can be counteracted using resistant rootstocks. In order to discover the genes underlying nematode resistance in Vitis germplasm, we examined a population segregating for nematode resistance. The population was obtained from the cross between 'Harmony' (susceptible female parent) and a selection of Vitis !nustangen.s'i.s (heterozygous resistant male parent). Resistance and susceptibility to MeIoidoyne arenuria was evaluated by counting the number of egg masses on root systems of individual seedlings six weeks after inoculation. We tested 210 10-mers primers of kits A, B, C, E, G, I, J, M, N, 0, P, U, and Y from Operon Technologies. We used the BSA (Bulked Segregant Analysis) method to compare two bulks, constituted by DNA of nine resistant and nine susceptible individuals, respectively. Six different polymorphic RAPD markers were identified in a range between 300 and 3000 bp that are associated with the resistance trait.