1. Identification of molecular markers for selection of supermale (YY) asparagus plants Gebler et al. 2007

2. Author’s goal Identify a sex-linked marker that would allow for the fast identification of supermale specimens in asparagus

3. Materials and Methods Andromonecious plants were selfed and DNA was extracted from 1-2 year old plants RAPD markers were created using BSA on 10 MM and 10 mm plants Primers designed off markers were used for PCR Banding patterns were analyzed by gel electrophoresis

4. Results 12 RAPD primers produced distinctive bands were found using BSA 18 plants were selected for analysis –11 primers did not show any banding differences –1 primer appeared to show bands linked to sex determination

5. Results Banding patterns at the 700bp fragment differ in intensity between males and females - XX has twice the intensity of XY It appears supermales (YY) do not have the 700bp fragment femalesmales 700bp

6. Conclusions The OPB-20-700 fragment may potentially be useful for breeding purposes and differentiating between males and supermales –Need to conduct experiment on known supermales/males to test usefulness of marker –The fragment can then be sequenced and new primers can be made for supermale identification