FLANKING AFLP MARKERS FOR THE VIRESCENS TRAIT IN OIL PALM

摘要

Using the monofactorially inherited virescens trait to determine the ripeness of oil palm fruit bunches, instead of the current counting of abscissed and fallen fruits, has the potential to facilitate harvesting and milling because of the starker colour change. Virescens fruits are characterized by being distinctly emerald green when young, turning to a bright orange on ripening, whereas the presently commercially produced Nigrescens fruits are dark purple young, and red/purple ripe. AFLP markers of 142 bp and 356 bp developed from the primer combination E-ACT/M-CAT and of 254 bp from E-ACT/M-CTA were found to be closely linked to the virescens trait in two crosses. The markers that flank the virescens gene on the genetic linkage map of oil palm may be useful for marker-assisted breeding for the virescens trait.