Abstract
Valorisation of tuber protein is relevant for the potato starch industry to create added-value and reduce impact on the environment. Hence, protein content has emerged as a key quality trait for innovative potato breeders. In this study, we estimated trait heritability, explored the relationship between protein content and tuber under-water weight (UWW), inferred haplotypes underlying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and pinpointed candidate genes. We used a panel of varieties (N = 277) that was genotyped using the SolSTW 20 K Infinium single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker array. Protein content data were collected from multiple environments and years. Our genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified QTLs on chromosomes 3, 5, 7 and 12. Alleles of StCDF1 (maturity) were associated with QTLs found on chromosome 5. The QTLs on chromosomes 7 and 12 are presented here for the first time, whereas those on chromosomes 3 and 5 co-localized with loci reported in earlier studies. The candidate genes underlying the QTLs proposed here are relevant for functional studies. This study provides resources for genomics-enabled breeding for protein content in potato.
Highlights
Global population growth, accompanied with increased consumer wealth, will change food consumption patterns worldwide (Tilman and Clark 2014)
This study provides resources for genomics-enabled breeding for protein content in potato
We report on the relationship between protein content and tuber under-water weight, haplotypes underlying QTLs and putative candidate genes
Summary
Global population growth, accompanied with increased consumer wealth, will change food consumption patterns worldwide (Tilman and Clark 2014). By the year 2050, the projected demand for protein from animal sources is expected to double from 2000 (Alexandratos 1999). This trend raises sustainability and food security concerns, as the intensive production of animal protein adds pressure on the environment—as vast amounts scarce (non-renewable) resources such as land, water and minerals are needed. The production of plant protein is more sustainable for the environment as less resources are needed (Sabaté and Soret 2014). Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a well-known starch crop. Few realise that the potato crop serves as an abundant source of plant protein (Jørgensen et al 2006). Protein content in potato tubers is relatively low (0.32–1.63%) (Bárta et al 2012; Klaassen et al 2019; Ortiz-Medina 2006), protein yield per hectare (ha) is eminent due to the highyielding ability and high harvest-index of the potato crop that can reach up to 124 ton−1ha
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