Open AccessGenome‐wide association studies of fruit quality traits in jujube germplasm collections using genotyping‐by‐sequencing
Author(s) -
Hou Lu,
Chen Wu,
Zhang Zhiyong,
Pang Xiaoming,
Li Yingyue
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the plant genome
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 1940-3372
DOI - 10.1002/tpg2.20036
Subject(s) - biology , single nucleotide polymorphism , genome wide association study , germplasm , linkage disequilibrium , candidate gene , genotyping , snp genotyping , genetics , genetic association , abiotic stress , gene , genotype , horticulture
Chinese jujube ( Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is an important fruit crop and harbors many highly diverse traits of potential economic importance. Fruit size, stone size, and fruit cracking have an important influence on the commercial value of jujube. This study is the first to conduct a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) on 180 accessions of jujube and focuses on locating single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with nine important fruit quality traits. Genotyping was performed using genotyping‐by‐sequencing and 4651 high‐quality SNPs were identified. A genetic diversity analysis revealed the presence of three distinct groups, and rapid linkage disequilibrium decay was observed in this jujube population. Using a mixed linear model, a total of 45 significant SNP–trait associations were detected, among which 33 SNPs had associations with fruit size‐related traits, nine were associated with stone size‐related traits, and three with fruit cracking‐related traits. In total, 21 candidate genes involved in cell expansion, abiotic stress responses, hormone signaling, and growth development were identified from the genome sequences of jujube. These results are useful as basic data for GWAS of other jujube traits, and these significant SNP loci and candidate genes should aid marker‐assisted breeding and genomic selection of improved jujube cultivars.