Utility testing of an apple skin color MdMYB1 marker in two progenies

A reported allele-specific dCAPS (derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence) marker, within the gene for the anthocyanin regulatory transcription factor MdMYB1, associated with apple fruit skin color, was tested in 17 elite breeding parents and two apple seedling progenies. In both progenies, the red skin color phenotype was usually associated with the MdMYB1-1 allele. This dCAPS marker provided approximately 80% predictability in a 'Golden Delicious' x 'Arlet' and a 'Honeycrisp' x 'Cripps Pink' progeny. Other potential genetic co-regulators may explain the less-than-perfect association. The specific dCAPS bands associated with red skin for the latter population were not the same as those identified in the former population or those reported in previous studies, indicating that skin color genotyping based on this marker will require prior association between specific marker alleles and color phenotypes for any given cross. The current form of this marker could be a useful tool for apple marker-assisted breeding, particularly in breeding programs in which 'Golden Delicious' is a parent.