A genetic map for Brassica napus based on restriction fragment length polymorphisms detected with expressed DNA sequences

F2 segregation analyses of DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) detected between two cultivars of canola ('Westar' × Topas') was used to construct a detailed genetic map of Brassica napus. RFLP markers were from a seedling-specific cDNA library. They were either randomly selected or previously characterized as seedling-specific cDNA clones. The 120 loci so far mapped in B. napus covered 1413 recombination units. They are assembled into 19 linkage groups. Seventeen loci were found unlinked to any other markers. Few polymorphisms were detected with the seedling-specific cDNAs and only seven loci could be mapped in this cross. Duplication of RFLP loci was extensive and reflects the amphidiploid nature of this species. However, several rearrangements of the linear order of duplicated loci could be seen. This RFLP study in B. napus provides important information on genome organization of functional DNA sequences and complements our current RFLP mapping effort in Brassica oleracea. The genetic markers of this map are currently being used in several breeding applications, such as tagging important agronomic traits and fingerprinting breeding lines and cultivars of canola, a major oilseed crop.Key words: genetic mapping, Brassica napus, breeding, restriction fragment length polymorphisms.