Molecular testing of cucumber hybrid genetic purity with RAPD marker

The molecular marker of Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to evaluate seed genetic purity of a novel commercial hybrid cultivar 'Biyu' in cucumber. Out of 395 primers, 44 were found to be fit for the genetic purity identification of cucumber hybrid seeds. The results showed that 15 primers including OPBH-04 and OPF-20 could produce female parent-specific (FPS) markers, and 15 primers including OPBC-20 and OPO-07 could produce male parent-specific (MPS) markers. With four primers of these two types, the genotypes of 220 cucumber hybrid individuals were identified. It was found that two false hybrid individuals that may come from mixture of other cultivars, and one individual which was derived from selfing male parent plant, were identified. Consequently, the genetic purity of the cucumber cultivar 'Biyu' hybrid seed lot was 98.64%. The result from molecular testing was in well accordance with that from purity inspecting in the field plot. Therefore, the molecular marker of RAPD is a high efficient and accurate technique for genetic purity testing of commercial hybrid seeds in cucumber.