RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 32 (2) June 2020, p. 201-210

QUANTITATIVE TRAIT LOCI (QTL) LINKED TO COMPACTNESS IN AN INTERSPECIFIC BACKCROSS TWO (BC2) POPULATION OF OIL PALM

ZULKIFLI, Y*; RAJINDER, S*; TING, N C*; MARHALIL, M*; XAVIAR, A**; RAJANAIDU, N*; JANSEN, J‡; MOHD DIN, A*; ONG-ABDULLAH, M*; CHIE, T Y‡‡ and KUSHAIRI, A*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2020.0019
Published Online: 27 April 2020
ABSTRACT

Conventional quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of a mapping family is carried out to generate molecular tools for development of compact interspecific hybrid palms that can be planted more closely for higher yields per unit land area. Genetic maps were constructed for an interspecific backcross two (BC2) oil palm population using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A total of 1744 markers were mapped onto 16 linkage groups, spanning 1499.5 cM with an average marker interval of 0.86 cM. Using empirical genome and chromosome-wide thresholds, QTL analysis yielded a number of significant associations with vegetative characters for palm compactness. Subsequent QTL analysis revealed two major and two putative QTL linked to rachis length and petiole cross-section, two important characters for palm compactness. The QTL identified are an important step towards the implementation of marker assisted selection (MAS), enabling breeders to make early informed decisions on improving interspecific hybrids.

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* Malaysian Palm Oil Board, 6 Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia. E-mail: zulkifly@mpob.gov.my ** United Plantations Bhd, Jendarata Estate, 36009 Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia. ‡ Biometris, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 100, 6700 AC Wageningen, The Netherlands. ‡‡ Codon Genomics Sdn Bhd, 26, Jalan Dutamas 7, Taman Dutamas, Balakong, 43200 Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia.