Genome-wide association studies provide insights into the genetic determination of fruit traits of pear.

ABSTRACT: Pear is a major fruit tree crop distributed worldwide, yet its breeding is a very time-consuming process. To facilitate molecular breeding and gene identification, here we have performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on eleven fruit traits. We identify 37 loci associated with eight fruit quality traits and five loci associated with three fruit phenological traits. Scans for selective sweeps indicate that traits including fruit stone cell content, organic acid and sugar contents might have been under continuous selection during breeding improvement. One candidate gene, PbrSTONE, identified in GWAS, has been functionally verified to be involved in the regulation of stone cell formation, one of the most important fruit quality traits in pear. Our study provides insights into the comp

SUBMITTER: Zhang MY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7892570 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature