The progress in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) breeding has been marked by the identification of molecular markers for crucial traits, utilizing genome sequencing for marker-assisted selection (MAS). Despite these achievements, quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses have often lacked resolution, leading to missed gene associations.
Traditional breeding methods face challenges related to low efficiency and high costs. Recent developments in whole-genome sequencing have uncovered nearly 2 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), promising higher marker density for genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, uneven SNP distribution remains an obstacle, hindering the identification of candidate genes. The current hurdle is to leverage GWAS potential for high-resolution mapping to expedite the breeding of improved sweet cherry varieties.
Researchers employed paired-end sequencing on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform, generating a 4.15-Tb sequence with samples contributing 7.6–36.8 Gb each. The extensive genome coverage allowed the identification of 1,767,106 high-quality SNPs distributed across the accessions. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) indicated a homogeneous population without distinct genetic subgroups.
Phenotypic diversity assessed from 2012 to 2020 revealed significant variability across traits, with Collection of Genetic Resources (CGR) accessions displaying more pronounced diversity than breeding materials (BM). Notable differences in color traits and fruit size were observed, aligning with the goals of selective breeding.
Collection of Genetic Resources population structure analysis. A) Principal component (PC) analysis plot of the first two PCs identified from 235 accessions based on 1,767,106 single nucleotide polymorphisms. B) Heat map of a kinship matrix estimated using the VanRaden algorithm. Both plots were generated with GAPIT.
Source: EurekAlert!
Image: High-resolution genome-wide association study of a large Czech collection of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) on fruit maturity and quality traits - Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Collection-of-Genetic-Resources-population-structure-analysis-A-Principal-component_fig1_364394570.
14 Dec 2023
Meet Gregory Lang, a horticulture trailblazer with roots in Ohio and a passion for fruit production. part of Cherry Times Technical-Scientific Committee.
25 Dec 2023
In this year's finale, the Cherry Times team would like to express its gratitude to all readers who have chosen us as their preferred source of information to understand and delve into the wonderful world revolving around the fruit of paradise: the cherry.
13 Mar 2026
Research published in Scientific Reports shows that PGPR bacteria Pantoea ananatis and Bacillus aryabhattai increase salt stress tolerance in the Gisela 6 cherry rootstock, improving plant growth, photosynthesis efficiency and antioxidant defenses under saline soil conditions.
13 Mar 2026
Chilean cherries remain a key winter fruit in Guangzhou supermarkets. Demand is supported by household purchases, gifting traditions and retail promotions. Despite a more cautious Chinese market and a complex season, consumer trust continues to support sales.
