ASSOCIATION MAPPING OF AGRONOMICALLY IMPORTANT TRAITS IN BRASSICA RAPA L.

An association mapping approach was used to find marker-phenotype associa-tions in the VIR core collection of 96 Brassica rapa accessions representing various morphotypes of different geographical origin. Genetic distances of accessions were determined using a set of SSR and S-SAP (CACTA) markers and NTSYSpc program. The same program was used to determine marker-marker and marker-phenotype correlations. Significant associations to molecular markers were found for bolting and flowering time, growth related traits, lamina and petiole morphological characters connected with quality, as well as for biochemical and resistance features.