Molecular mapping of a fertility restorer gene for cytoplasmic male sterility in soybean

In this study, we report the mapping of the Rf locus in soybean by microsatellite simple sequence repeat (SSR) genetic markers. A cross was made between cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) line JLCMS82A and restorer line JIHUI 1 based on the DNA polymorphisms revealed by 109 SSR markers. A F-2 population derived from a single F-1 plant containing 103 individuals was used for mapping the Rf locus. The Rf gene of JIHUI 1 gametophytically restores male fertility to JLCMS82A. Fertile and semi-fertile DNA bulks and parental DNAs were screened with 219 SSR markers, and Satt215 which was previously mapped to soybean LG J, was found linked to the Rf gene. Five additional polymorphic SSR markers from LG J were used for analysis and a regional linkage map around the Rf locus was established. SSR markers, Sctt011 and Satt547, flanked the Rf locus at 3.6 cM and 5.4 cM, respectively. The availability of these SSR markers will facilitate the selection of restorer lines in hybrid soybean breeding.