Identification and validation of SSRS linked to fiber quality traits in cotton using RILs derived from Gossypium hirsutum var. MCU5 and TCH 1218

Abstract

In order to increase the fiber productivity in cotton, it is imperative to genetically improve the fiber component traits and such effort can be quickened by use of molecular markers. Totally, seventy-four simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers that were previously shown to be linked to fibre strength, boll weight, and fibre elongation were used to differentiate Gossypium hirsutum var. MCU5 and TCH1218 and among them two were found to be polymorphic markers. These two polymorphic markers viz., TMB 0409 and CGR 6889 were used to genotype 220 F13 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from MCU5 and TCH1218 and single marker analysis was used to confirm their linkage with target traits using the phenotypic data collected on cotton fiber yield component traits such as plant height, days to 50 percent flowering data, boll weight, number of monopodial and sympodial branches and bolls. These identified and validated markers across genetic background can be employed to genetically improve cotton through marker assisted selection.