RAPD markers associated with quercetin accumulation in Psidium guajava

Abstract

We used a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) amplification method to identify molecular markers associated with high quercetin accumulation in the leaves of Psidium guajava L. trees, selected from four different Mexican agronomic regions. We identified six polymorphic RAPD fragments of 620, 590, 370, 690, 480 and 460 bp among individuals of P. guajava. Genetic linkage disequilibrium analysis revealed that three RAPD profiles considered as DNA markers (620/590 bp, 370 bp and 480/460 bp) had a positive, direct association with quercetin content. These informative molecular markers can be used for selective identification of plants with the highest accumulation of flavonoids.