AUTHOR=Thudi Mahendar , Chen Yinglong , Pang Jiayin , Kalavikatte Danamma , Bajaj Prasad , Roorkiwal Manish , Chitikineni Annapurna , Ryan Megan H. , Lambers Hans , Siddique Kadambot H. M. , Varshney Rajeev K. TITLE=Novel Genes and Genetic Loci Associated With Root Morphological Traits, Phosphorus-Acquisition Efficiency and Phosphorus-Use Efficiency in Chickpea JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science VOLUME=12 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2021.636973 DOI=10.3389/fpls.2021.636973 ISSN=1664-462X ABSTRACT=

Chickpea—the second most important grain legume worldwide—is cultivated mainly on marginal soils. Phosphorus (P) deficiency often restricts chickpea yields. Understanding the genetics of traits encoding P-acquisition efficiency and P-use efficiency will help develop strategies to reduce P-fertilizer application. A genome-wide association mapping approach was used to determine loci and genes associated with root architecture, root traits associated with P-acquisition efficiency and P-use efficiency, and any associated proxy traits. Using three statistical models—a generalized linear model (GLM), a mixed linear model (MLM), and a fixed and random model circulating probability unification (FarmCPU) —10, 51, and 40 marker-trait associations (MTAs), respectively were identified. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locus (Ca1_12310101) on Ca1 associated with three traits, i.e., physiological P-use efficiency, shoot dry weight, and shoot P content was identified. Genes related to shoot P concentration (NAD kinase 2, dynamin-related protein 1C), physiological P-use efficiency (fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein), specific root length (4-coumarate–CoA ligase 1) and manganese concentration in mature leaves (ABC1 family protein) were identified. The MTAs and novel genes identified in this study can be used to improve P-use efficiency in chickpea.