White cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is a cultural plant from the family of Brassicaceae. It is one of the most important vegetables in Slovenia. The Biotechnical Faculty in Ljubljana has been breeding cabbage due to the need for hybrid varieties. To obtain hybrid seed we need to cross two homozygous parental lines. According to the theory of positive heterosis, the lines that are genetically most distinct have the biggest potential to produce a successful hybrid. In order to determine the combination potential, genotyping of twenty-two homozygous lines of cabbage was performed. The samples were collected at the Biotechnical Faculty in Ljubljana. Genotyping was carried out with sixteen microsatellite markers. First, the DNK of the homozygotes lines was isolated, the concentration of DNK was measured, and the samples diluted accordingly. We tested the SSR markers and tried to optimize the PCR reaction. The genotyping was carried out by the PCR procedure and capillary electrophoresis. The results were evaluated and statistically processed with the GeneMapper program. At the same time, we tested the usefulness of the Multiplex and Direct PCR method in order to reduce the costs of genotyping. Microsatellite markers that we used showed low levels of polymorphism. Nevertheless, they were suitable for further use. The combinations of homozygous parental lines under the codes of 278 x 461, 317 x 461, 441x 459 are genetically most distinct and have the greatest potential for obtaining successful hybrids. We also ranged combinations of parental lines by their genetic differences. The multiplex and direct PCR methods proved to be successful given the fact that they were performed on only a small number of samples. Further testing and optimization are needed so that we can firmly assert that the methods are reliable.
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