A linkage map of sweet cherry based on RAPD analysis of a microspore-derived callus culture population.

A partial linkage map was constructed for the sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivar Emperor Francis from a population of 56 microspore-derived callus culture individuals. The callus cultures were genotyped for two allozymes and 90 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers using 79 random decanucleotide DNA primers and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Eighty-nine markers mapped to 10 linkage groups totaling 503.3 cM. DNA blot and hybridization analysis using five cloned RAPDs as probes demonstrated that one of the decanucleotide primers amplified a region of the Emperor Francis genome containing a unique sequence, whereas the other four decanucleotide primers amplified regions of the Emperor Francis genome containing repeated sequences. The five cloned RAPD probes also recognized putative homologous regions in ground cherry, P.fruticosa Pall., and sour cherry, P. cerasus L., a naturally occurring allopolyploid between P.fruticosa and P.avium.