AUTHOR=Chu Wen , Zhu Xiaofeng , Jiang Tao , Wang Song , Ni Wanli
TITLE=Integrating QTL mapping and transcriptome analysis to provide molecular insights into gynophore-pod strength in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science
VOLUME=15
YEAR=2024
URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1500281
DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1500281
ISSN=1664-462X
ABSTRACT=IntroductionGynophore-pod strength is one of important mechanical properties that affect mechanized harvesting quality in peanut. Yet its molecular regulation remains elusive.
MethodsWe measured gynophore-pod strength across three environments using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between Yuanza9102 and Xuzhou68-4, followed by QTL mapping. Lines with extreme gynophore-pod strength from the RILs were selected to perform anatomical analysis and transcriptome analysis to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms governing gynophore-pod strength.
Results and discussionBoth genotypic factor and environments affected gynophore-pod strength significantly, and its broad sense heritability (h2) was estimated as 0.77. Two QTLs that were stable in at least two environments were detected. qGPS.A05-1 was mapped 4cM (about 1.09Mb) on chromosome A05, and qGPS.B02-1 was mapped 3cM (about 1.71Mb) on chromosome B02. Anatomical analysis showed higher lignin content in lines with extreme high gynophore-pod strength compared to those with extreme low gynophore-pod strength. Additionally, comparative transcriptome analysis unveiled that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis was the main pathway associated with high gynophore-pod strength. Further, we predicted VJ8B3Q and H82QG0 as the candidate genes for qGPS.A05-1 and qGPS.B02-1, respectively. The two stable QTLs and their associated markers could help modify gynophore-pod strength. Our findings may offer genetic resources for the molecular-assisted breeding of new peanut varieties with improved mechanized harvesting quality.