Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identify genes related to cherry size

13 Mar 2024
1052

Sweet cherry production in France has been in decline since the 1980s, influenced by climate change and biological pressures. Traditional selection is long and complex due to the prolonged juvenile stage and the complexity of polygenic traits, but advances in genetic research have identified key markers through quantitative locus mapping (QTL) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

However, genotyping by sequencing (GBS) is emerging as a cost-effective solution to analyse high-density SNPs and improve selection strategies.

'Horticulture Research' published in September 2023 a study entitled 'Genome-wide association mapping in a sweet cherry germplasm collection (Prunus avium L.) reveals candidate genes for fruit quality traits'. This study used a germplasm collection of 116 sweet cherry accessions to analyse 23 agronomic fruit quality traits over a period of 2-6 years, showing high phenotypic variation.

Subsequently, SNPs were analysed by GBS, and GWAS studies identified 65 unique SNP-trait associations for eight traits, including candidate genes in phytohormone, calcium and cell wall metabolisms. In order to identify colocalising SNP-trait associations for fruit quality traits, the researchers synthesised the results of this study and nine previous articles, identifying a total of 11 and 12 candidate genes for fruit size and fruit splitting traits.

The study's methodology characterised phenotypic variation, revealing high broad-spectrum heritability for many traits, suggesting a strong genetic component. GBS sequencing produced a rich set of SNPs, facilitating the identification of genetic associations between multiple traits. Analysis of population structure revealed distinct subpopulations, contributing to a deeper understanding of genetic diversity in the collection.

The identified SNP-tract associations, supported by a thorough literature review, improve the understanding of genetic control of fruit quality in sweet cherry. This knowledge is crucial for the development of marker-assisted selection strategies, accelerating selection efforts to meet consumer preferences and producer requirements by addressing the complexity of the genetic architecture of sweet cherry and its impact on fruit quality traits.

Image 1: Pearson correlation matrix of the 23 studied traits. 

Read the full article: EurekAlert!
Image: Horticulture Research


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

The Forest Lodge company abandons fossil fuels for a 100% electric approach

Tech management

21 Jun 2024

The company uses a range of electrical equipment, including anti-freeze fans, irrigation pumps and vehicles, all powered by a 23 kW solar system and a 105 kWh battery, as well as by New Zealand's high-intensity renewable electricity grid.

Pollination 2.0: Chilean start-up BioPollen Solutions replaces bees with technology

Tech management

31 Jul 2024

"We have designed a liquid formulation highly concentrated in high quality pollen - explains Rodrigo Martínez, CEO of BioPollen Solutions - We are currently using drones, helicopters and aeroplanes, which allow us to apply a 200-hectare field in just a few minutes".

In evidenza

Sweet cherry and its by-products: a valuable source of phenolic compounds

Processed

21 Feb 2025

A recent study from Greece compared different research to analyse the concentration of phenolic components of the cherry and its by-products, as well as the extraction techniques used.

Stone Fruit Day at WSU: Anatomy of the bacterial cancer epidemic

Crop protection Events

21 Feb 2025

Pseudomonas bacteriasis and Cytospora fungal infections pose a major threat to the Washington State economy. The bacterial cancer in 2023 mainly affected young orchards, the subject of Prof. Zhao's research.

Tag Popolari