Isolation of microsatellite and RAPD markers flanking the Yr15 gene of wheat using NILs and bulked segregant analysis

Microsatellite and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers were used to identify molecular markers linked to the Yr15 gene which confer resistance to stripe rust (Puccina striiformis Westend) in wheat. By using near isogenic lines (NILs) for the Yr15 gene and a F₂ mapping population derived from crosses of these lines and phenotyped for resistance, we identified one microsatellite marker (GWM33) and one RAPD marker (OPA19₈₀₀) linked to Yr15. Then, bulked segregant analysis was used in addition to the NILs to identify RAPD markers linked to the target gene. Using this approach, two RAPD markers linked to Yr15 were identified, one in coupling (UBC199₇₀₀) and one in repulsion phase (UBC212₁₂₀₀). After MAPMAKER linkage analysis on the F₂ population, the two closest markers were shown to be linked to Yr15 within a distance of about 12 cM. The recombination rates were recalculated using the maximum likelihood technique to take into account putative escaped individuals from the stripe rust resistance test and obtain unbiased distance estimates. As a result of this study, the stripe rust resistance gene Yr15 is surrounded by two flanking PCR markers, UBC199₇₀₀ and GWM33, at about 5 cM from each side.