Detection of RAPD molecular markers related to some fatty acids in sunflower oil

Abstract

RAPD (Random Amplified DNA) technique was employed to detect molecular markers associated with some fatty acids in sunflower oil seeds. This research was based on 29 local and introduced genotypes. Results of 13 RAPD primers  revealed 74 molecular markers, 60 of which were polymorphic and suitable for loci detection.  The next step consists in oil seeds analysis. It focused on the most important fatty acids which are: oleic, linoleic, stearic and palmitic acids. A considerable variability was observed among genotypes in their contents for the aforementioned fatty acids. Values ranged between 17.10% and 77.30% for oleic acid, between 9.17% and 68.20% for linoleic acid, from 3.40% to 15.30% for stearic acid and finely from 4.49% to 14.40% for palmitic acid. This variability facilitated markers detection and increased the authenticity of the results. Single Marker Analysis (SMA), based on T-test, was used as statistical method for the detection of markers associated with fatty acids. Four markers were correlated with oleic acid and  three others with palmitic acid. These results may be useful in marker assisted selection for genotypes with specific fatty acids composition and in any preliminary study prior to future breeding programs.