Mapping QTLs for multiple pistillate flowers in cucumber

Multiple pistillate flowers trait is related closely to cucumber(Cucumis sativus L.) production.This study was made to map and analyze QTLs of multiple pistillate flowers traits in cucumber,so as to provide information for molecular marker assisted selection of cucumber breeding for high yield.A linkage map of cucumber was constructed using 148 F9 recombinant inbred lines(RILs) originated from a narrow-cross between 9110Gt(single pistillate flower,SP)and 9930(multiple pistillate flowers,MP)in the experiment.Total of 8 QTLs were detected using the genetic map and multiple QTL model(MQM)method of software package MapQTL version 4.0.These QTLs were mapped on chromosome 1,2,3,6,7,respectively.Their LOD values varied between 3.62 and 8.37 which explaining 8.2%–20.0% of the phenotypic variation.Six QTLs explained phenotypic variation more than 10% which Mp3.2 explained highest phenotypic variation(2007 autumn 20.0%,LOD=8.37),and Mp6.2(2006 spring 13.9%,LOD=5.95;2007 autumn 11.9%,LOD=5.10;2009 spring 11.5%,LOD=4.38)was detected in the two seasons.The tight linkage markers(SSR04635,SSR13466,SSR00584 and SSR10449)can be used in fine mapping of multiple pistillate flowers in cucumber.