G. Meru, D. McDowell, V. Waters, A. Seibel, J. Davis, C. McGregor
Published: March 11, 2013
Genet. Mol. Res. 12 (1) : 702-709
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/2013.March.11.18
Cite this Article:
G. Meru, D. McDowell, V. Waters, A. Seibel, J. Davis, C. McGregor (2013). A non-destructive genotyping system from a single seed for marker-assisted selection in watermelon. Genet. Mol. Res. 12(1): 702-709. https://doi.org/10.4238/2013.March.11.18
About the Authors
G. Meru, D. McDowell, V. Waters, A. Seibel, J. Davis, C. McGregor
Corresponding Author
G. Meru
Email: merujeff@uga.edu
ABSTRACT
Genomic tools for watermelon breeding are becoming increasingly available. A high throughput genotyping system would facilitate the use of DNA markers in marker-assisted selection. DNA extraction from leaf material requires prior seed germination and is often time-consuming and cost prohibitive. In an effort to develop a more efficient system, watermelon seeds of several genotypes and various seed sizes were sampled by removing ⅓ or ½ sections from the distal ends for DNA extraction, while germinating the remaining proximal parts of the seed. Removing ⅓ of the seed from the distal end had no effect on seed germination percentage or seedling vigor. Different DNA extraction protocols were tested to identify a method that could yield DNA of sufficient quality for amplification by polymerase chain reaction. A sodium dodecyl sulfate extraction protocol with 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone yielded DNA that could be amplified with microsatellite primers and was free of pericarp contamination. In this study, an efficient, non-destructive genotyping protocol for watermelon seed was developed.
Genomic tools for watermelon breeding are becoming increasingly available. A high throughput genotyping system would facilitate the use of DNA markers in marker-assisted selection. DNA extraction from leaf material requires prior seed germination and is often time-consuming and cost prohibitive. In an effort to develop a more efficient system, watermelon seeds of several genotypes and various seed sizes were sampled by removing ⅓ or ½ sections from the distal ends for DNA extraction, while germinating the remaining proximal parts of the seed. Removing ⅓ of the seed from the distal end had no effect on seed germination percentage or seedling vigor. Different DNA extraction protocols were tested to identify a method that could yield DNA of sufficient quality for amplification by polymerase chain reaction. A sodium dodecyl sulfate extraction protocol with 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone yielded DNA that could be amplified with microsatellite primers and was free of pericarp contamination. In this study, an efficient, non-destructive genotyping protocol for watermelon seed was developed.
Key words: DNA, Sodium dodecyl sulfate, Germination, Vigor, Polyvinylpyrrolidone.