Genetic association between DNA fingerprint fragments and loci controlling agriculturally important traits in avocado (Persea americana Mill.)

Associations between DNA fingerprint fragments and 16 avocado quantitative trait loci were tested for in two avocado families by one way analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis. Based on these two analyses the fragments P4, P8, E2 and E5 in 'Pinkerton' x 'Ettinger' progeny were found to be associated with harvest duration, skin color, skin thickness and skin surface, respectively. The fragments P1, P8, B1 and B4 in the 'Pinkerton' x 'Bacon' progeny (half sibs of the original population) were found to be associated with fruit weight, skin color, seed size and peeling, respectively. Based on the original 'Pinkerton' progeny as well as on the half sibs progeny, the fragment P8 was found to be associated with black-purple fruit skin color. The fragment pattern intensity of DNA pools of progeny having either green or black-purple fruit skin color-supported these data. These results are interpreted as genetic linkage between the DNA fingerprint fragment P8 and locus (i) regulating fruit skin color in avocado.