QTL analysis and GWAS of agronomic traits in sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) using genome wide SNPs

Abstract

While sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) improvement has generally been done by field-based selection, molecular genetic studies on traits of interest, i.e., molecular markers are needed for enhancing the breeding program of this world’s 7^th most important crop, as such markers facilitate marker-assisted selection. Here, we performed a combined approach of QTLs analyses and GWAS of storage root β-carotene content (BC), dry-matter (DM) and starch content (SC) using the genetic linkage maps constructed with 5,952 and 5,640 SNPs obtained from F₁ progenies between cultivars ‘J-Red’ and ‘Choshu’. BC was negatively correlated with DM (r = –0.45) and SC (r = –0.51), while DM was positively correlated with SC (r = 0.94). In both parental maps, a total of five, two and five QTL regions on linkage groups 7 and 8 were associated with BC, DM and SC, respectively. In GWAS of BC, one strong signal (P = 1.04 × 10^–9) was observed on linkage group 8, which co-located with one of the above QTL regions. The SNPs markers found here, particularly for β-carotene, would be useful base resources for future marker-assisted selection program with this trait.