Identification of RAPD markers linked to nut weight and plant stature in cashew

Cashew is an important edible nut crop of tropics. Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) was carried out on DNA bulks constituted from F₂ population and germplasm in order to link or associate molecular markers with economic characters. In all 458 RAPD, 31 ISSR and 21 pairs of SSR primers were used and identified polymorphic markers between parents. Though screening F₂ bulks with these markers identified markers polymorphic between the bulks but none could be validated with the individuals of their bulks. Hence screening with germplasm bulks was carried out and could identify four RAPD markers polymorphic between the bulks for nut weight and plant stature and also between the individuals of their bulks. Of the four, three markers were associated with nut weight amplifying at 775, 475, 275, bp region in primers OPN 14, UBC 184 and UBC 185 respectively. Out of these three, two markers were specific to low nut weight and one marker was specific to high nut weight and their bands were present in greater frequency (50–77.8% and 75%) of individuals constituting the respective bulks. Similarly, the another marker UBC 185₂₇₅ was detected which was specific to low plant stature and was present in 66.7% and 10% individuals constituting short and tall bulks respectively. Markers identified with bulks and with the individuals of bulks were validated further with more individuals of F₂ and germplasm.