Development of molecular mapping populations for tobacco specific nitrosamines

Abstract

In the present study, an effort was made for the development of mapping population for mapping of Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) in tobacco. TSNAs are found only in tobacco products, and are considered to be harmful to tobacco consumers. Molecular mapping of TSNA trait aid in tailoring the tobacco plants to yield lower levels of TSNAs using marker assisted breeding strategies. In order to select the parents for developing mapping populations, 11 burley lines were characterized for their TSNA yielding abilities and molecular polymorphism using 34 RAPD markers. Based on this, three polymorphic lines viz., Banket-A1, By-64 and VA-510 were identified as parents for developing mapping population. Banket-A1 is a high TSNA yielding variety and selected as one of the parent. VA-510, a low TSNA line recording higher molecular diversity with Banket-A1 was crossed with Banket-A1 for developing mapping population. Another line, By-64 recording low TSNA, having desirable morphological characters and least molecular diversity with Banket-A1 was crossed with Banket-A1 for developing another mapping population. Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs) were developed from both the crosses through single seed descent method. These populations developed using diverse parents are of immense use in mapping of genes governing TSNA content in tobacco.