Molecular selection in apple for resistance to scab caused by Venturia inaequalis.

Large-scale marker-assisted selection requires highly reproducible, consistent and simple markers. The use of genetic markers is important in woody plant breeding in general, and in apple in particular, because of the high level of heterozygosity present in Malus species. We present here the transformation of two RAPD markers, which we found previously to be linked to the major scab resistance gene Vf, into more reliable and reproducible markers that can be applied directly to apple breeding.

DNA markers linked to Malus floribunda 821 scab resistance.

Breeding resistant apple plants is an alternative way to control fungal pathogens reducing the environmental impact due to the use of pesticides. The breeding of apple cultivars resistant to Venturia inaequalis could be much improved by marker-assisted selection. A molecular marker closely linked to the resistance locus called Vf could replace selection based on infection studies.