Marker-assisted selection of Ms locus responsible for male fertility restoration in onion (Allium cepa L.)

The study aimed to identify the male-fertility restoration locus (Ms) among 72 breeding lines of onion (Allium cepa L.) by genotyping, which is crucial in the development of F-1 hybrid onions using cytoplasmic-genic male sterility (CGMS) system. Thus, two markers were used to identify the Ms locus, the simple PCR marker namely jnurf20 is dominant nature cover across the breeding lines genetic backgrounds, whereas the PsaO gene-specific marker could not spread all along the breeding lines evaluated in the study. Since all reported markers are may or may not have marker genotype association across different genetic backgrounds of onion breeding lines. However, these molecular markers are highly useful in the marker-assisted selection of Ms locus. Thus, this study reveals the amplification of validated markers among the breeding lines used, the study essential to advance the marker-assisted breeding for the development of F-1 hybrid onions in near future.

Automated summary

This study identified the male-fertility restoration locus among onion breeding lines through genotyping, using two markers with different application levels across the breeding lines. The research revealed the importance of molecular markers in marker-assisted selection for the development of F-1 hybrid onions.