Methods and compositions for accelerated trait introgression

Abstract

Compositions and methods are provided for the use of pollen-inhibitor genes and/or color marker genes in accelerated trait introgression. Compositions and methods are also provided for introducing a pollen-inhibitor gene and/or a color marker gene in close proximity to a trait locus of interest. Breeding methods and methods for selecting plants comprising a trait locus of interest in close proximity to at least one pollen-inhibitor gene and/ or color marker gene are also disclosed. The methods and compositions employ at least one pollen-inhibitor gene and /or color marker gene to provide an effective system for accelerated trait introgression in the genome of a plant.

1 .- 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A method of accelerated trait introgression in the genome of a plant, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a first plant having within a genomic window at least one trait of interest located proximal to a telomere, and at least one color marker gene located proximal to both the telomere and the trait of interest, wherein said trait of interest and said color marker gene are genetically linked in said genomic window, wherein said genomic window is about 5 cM in length and located within 10 cM of the telomere;   (b) cross pollinating the first plant of (a) with pollen from a second plant; and,   (c) selecting a progeny plant from step (b) comprising said trait of interest site and said color marker gene; and,   (d) backcrossing the progeny plant of (c) as the pollen donor onto a recurrent parent plant and selecting progeny plants comprising the trait of interest but lacking the color marker gene.   
     
     
         36 . A method of accelerated trait introgression in the genome of a plant comprising:
 (a) providing a first plant having within a genomic window at least one trait of interest, a pollen-inhibitor gene and a color marker gene, wherein said genomic window is about 5 cM in length, and wherein trait of interest is flanked by said first and second pollen-inhibitor gene;   (b) cross-pollinating the first plant of (a) with pollen from a second plant; and,   (c) selecting a progeny plant from step (b) comprising said first pollen-inhibitor gene, said trait of interest, and said second pollen-inhibitor gene; and,   (d) cross pollinating the progeny plant from step (c) to a recurrent parent plant and selecting progeny plants comprising the trait of interest but lacking the color marker gene.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising: a second color marker gene integrated into a second target site. 
     
     
         38 . A plant comprising at least one trait gene of interest, a first recombinant DNA construct comprising a color marker gene, and a second recombinant DNA construct comprising a second color marker gene, wherein said first recombinant DNA construct and said second recombinant DNA construct are genetically linked and flank said trait gene of interest, and wherein the first and second color markers segregate independently from the trait gene of interest ata rate of about 10% to about 0.1%. 
     
     
         39 . The plant of  claim 38 , wherein the first color marker gene, the second color marker gene and the trait gene of interest are located within 5 cM of each other.