Genome-wide association links candidate genes to fruit firmness, fruit flesh color, flowering time, and soluble solid content in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.).

Filiz Ferik,Emine Orhan,Sezai Ercisli,Abdullah Erdogan,Duygu Ates,Muhammed Bahattin Tanyolac

doi:10.1007/s11033-021-06856-2

Filiz Ferik, Emine Orhan + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-021-06856-2

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Journal: Molecular biology reports	Publication Date: Nov 6, 2021
Citations: 3	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Ege University, Atatürk University

Abstract

Apricots originated from China, Central Asia and the Near East and arrived in Anatolia, and particularly in their second homeland of Malatya province in Turkey. Apricots are outstanding summer fruits, with their beautiful attractive color, delicious sweet taste, aroma and high vitamin and mineral content. In the current study, a total of 259 apricots genotypes from different geographical origins in Turkey were used. Significant variations were detected in fruit firmness (FF), fruit flesh color (FFC), flowering time (FT), and soluble solid content (SSC). A total of 11,532 SNPs based on DArT were developed and used in the analyses of population structure and association mapping (AM). According to the STRUCTURE (v.2.2) analysis, the apricot genotypes were divided into three groups. The mixed linear model with Q and K matrixes were used to detect the associations between the SNPs and four traits. A total of 131 SNPs were associated with FF, FFC and SSC. No SNP marker was detected associated with FT. The results demonstrated that AM had high potential of revealing the markers associated with economically important traits in apricot. The SNPs identified in the study can be used in future breeding programs for marker-assisted selection in apricot.

Highlights

Rosaceae is one of the most important fruit tree family from temperate regions, including apple, peach, strawberry, plum, almond, pear, European plum, and sweet cherry which are economically important fruit species [1]
The SNPs identified in the study can be used in future breeding programs for marker-assisted selection in apricot
The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between SNPs based on the diversity arrays technology (DArT) and the pomological traits of apricot, namely fruit firmness (FF), fruit flesh color (FFC), flowering time (FT), and soluble solid content (SSC) using 259 apricot genotypes

Summary

Introduction

Rosaceae is one of the most important fruit tree family from temperate regions, including apple, peach, strawberry, plum, almond, pear, European plum, and sweet cherry which are economically important fruit species [1]. Consumer preferences are based on fruit quality which refers to sensorial properties, such as appearance, texture, taste and aroma, high nutritional components, chemical components, functional properties, and mechanical characteristics [3]. Fruit firmness and fruit flesh color are important for consumer satisfaction [3]. Another important parameter affecting fruit quality is soluble solid content (SSC), which includes sugars, organic acids, proteins, minerals, lipids, amino acids, and vitamins, and it is the main criteria that determines the taste, flavor and nutritional value of the fruit [4]. Apricots are outstanding summer fruits, with their beautiful attractive color, delicious sweet taste, aroma and high vitamin and mineral content

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