Application of AFLP(TM)-based molecular markers to breeding of Populus spp

Molecular marker technologies have eased and potentiated genetic analysis of plants and have become an extremely useful tool in forest tree breeding. The information provided by molecular markers has made it possible to acquire further knowledge about the structure and organization of plant genomes as well as about the evolution of these plant genomes through phylogenetic analysis. Using Populus spp. as a model tree, this paper aims at showing and discussing the possible applications of AFLP(TM), a high-density DNA marker technology developed by Keygene N.V. (Wageningen, The Netherlands). Applications include: (i) AFLP analysis of the disease resistance against Melampsora larici-populina using bulked-segregant analysis, (ii) AFLP fingerprinting for identification and taxonomic analysis of individual trees, and () AFLP-based mapping strategies in Populus.