Variability in Diploid Buffalograss Mapping Population as Revealed by SRAP Markers.

Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.)  is a warm season turfgrass that is increasingly being used due to its water use efficiency and low maintenance requirement.  Western chinch bug (Blissus occiduus) is becoming an insect pest in buffalograss turf and seed production.  Mapping of the buffalograss genome will be helpful in the attempt to curb the threat from chinch bugs through understanding the function, location and the inheritance of genes controlling resistance.  An F1 generation mapping population was generated by crossing two out crossing diploid genotypes (NE 3297 x NE 2871).  Sequence Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) markers were used to evaluate the pattern of polymorphism in the two parents and their progenies.  Marker segregation among the progenies is observed when at least one of the parents is heterozygous for a particular locus. Some of the monomorphic bands in the two parents segregate in the progenies indicated heterozygousity for the locus in both the parents. As a result both F2 and backcross types of segregation patterns were observed in the progenies. Based on the current evaluation of the parents and 114 progenies for 144 SRAP marker combinations, it is expected that a framework genome map of diploid buffalograss can be produced from this mapping population.