Identification of two markers linked to the sex locus in dioecious Asparagus officinalis plants

One hundred decamer primers of random-amplified polymorphic DNA were tested on dioecious Asparagus officinalis plants to identify sex-linked molecular markers. One primer (S368) produced two markers (S368-928 and S368-1178) in female plants. These two DNA markers were identified in 30 male and female plants, respectively, and a S368-928 marker was proved to be linked to the female sex locus. The female-linked S368-928 marker was sequenced and specific primers were synthesized to generate a 928 bp marker of sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) in female plants, SCAR(928). SCAR(928) could be used to correctly screen homozygous mm female plants of A. officinalis. However, results of Southern blot analysis suggest that the hybridization pattern of S368-928 was presented in both sex plants.