Molecular markers in Rubus (Rosaceae) research and breeding

Molecular markers and their utilization in Rubus L. research and breeding are briefly reviewed, and some new potential applications are suggested. Several distinct marker methods have been tested, including chromatographical analyses of pigment molecules, electrophoresis of polymorphic proteins and a wide variety of DNA markers. Such markers have been employed in cultivar and hybrid identification, estimation of genetic similarities, taxonomy, and population genetics studies of various Rubus species as well as their pest organisms. Some differentially expressed genes have been tagged with cDNA probes which may in future be used as genetic markers to aid selection in breeding programmes. No genome mapping work has yet been reported on Rubus, but genetic linkage data of several other fruit and nut species in the Rosaceae have been evaluated for mapping purposes.