Genotyping of Flax Genetic Resources by Mirna-Based Molecular Markers and Morphology

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs about 20-24 nucleotides long. They play an important role in the gene regulation at the post-transcriptional level. They affect the plant genome response to environmental stress. The miRNA-based molecular markers is type of functional markers reported in very few plants. However, the information connected to the evaluation of genotypes by this type of markers within a single species is missing. Considering the stability, polymorphism, functionality and transferability potential of miRNA-based markers, the research was conducted to apply selected types of them (miR156b, miR408a and the combined type of miR156b/miR408a) for the genotyping analysis of eight flax genotypes of different origin together with the morphology analyses. A total of 145 miRNA loci were identified, of which 19 were unique. The highest numbers of miRNA loci (57) and unique fragments (9) as well as the highest percentage of polymorphism and the extent of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of miRNA fragments have been observed with the combination of miR156b-F and miR408-F markers. By means of the miRNA markers has been recorded the unique profile of the miRNA loci for individual accessions. The morphology study has shown that the genotypes are the same in the expression of selected morphological traits despite the different use and different places of origin. However, we have identified an interface between some of morphological traits and miRNA-based markers for genotyping the genetic resources of flax. By mutually linking these two types of markers, we were able to determine unique genotypes of flax.