Genetic dissection of Brassica napus photosynthetic pigment content diversity and identification of loci associated with photoperiod and alkaline soil responses

Abstract

The photosynthetic pigment content of plants is a key physiological trait as it is closely related to photosynthetic efficiency and crop yield potential, and which is extremely susceptible to environmental factors. However, the genetic factors controlling the photosynthetic pigment content in Brassica napus have not yet been completely elucidated. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of photosynthetic pigment content using a diversity panel comprising 518 B. napus inbred lines grown in four different soil and light environments. We identified 281 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with photosynthetic pigment content-related traits. A total of 46 candidate genes involved in chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolism were identified. The identified SNPs and potential candidate genes may facilitate the study of natural variation in photosynthetic pigment accumulation and provide valuable resources for future high photosynthetic efficiency breeding that will adapt to different soil and light conditions.