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Abstract

Pod length is one of the components effective in canola yield the selection for which can not only increase seed yield but also the oil yield. For this reason molecular markers are sought to assist in early and reliable selection of desired long pod genotypes in breeding programmes. Molecular marker associated with long pod loci were identified in a doubled haploid population derived from a cross between the canola lines Quantum (long pod)× china A (short pod) using RAPD and bulked segregant analysis. A molecular marker linkage map of 37 loci for this population was used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling pod length. Two markers in two unlinked loci were selected by using Interval Mapping Model which explained 22% of phenotypic variation for pod length in this population. Selection for markers at two loci for the increase of pod length resulted in a group of DH lines with 112 mm pods that lead to an increase of 15% in the whole population mean. This shows that use of these markers in the breeding programmes will enhance the breeding of long pod B.napus cultivars.

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