Association of RAPD marker with linolenic acid concentration in the seed oil of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.).

The F2 progeny (64 individuals) from the cross between oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivar Topas and R4 (a low linolenic mutation line) was analyzed with 8 RFLPs and 34 RAPDs to discover a genetic tag for gene(s) affecting linolenic acid concentration. According to variance analysis (ANOVA), one RAPD marker (25a) was significantly associated with linolenic acid content; the linolenic acid concentration in the seeds of F2 individuals showing the marker (includes both homo- and hetero-zygotes) was 7.43 +/- 1.35% and in those lacking the marker was 5.70 +/- 1.52%. Marker 25a may be used to facilitate selection for fatty acid composition in future breeding programs of oilseed rape.