Abstract
BackgroundLeaf size and shape, which affect light capture, and chlorophyll content are important factors affecting photosynthetic efficiency. Genetic variation of these components significantly affects yield potential and seed quality. Identification of the genetic basis for these traits and the relationship between them is of great practical significance for achieving ideal plant architecture and high photosynthetic efficiency for improved yield.ResultsHere, we undertook a large-scale linkage mapping study using three mapping populations to determine the genetic interplay between soybean leaf-related traits and chlorophyll content across two environments. Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between leaf size and shape, while both traits were positively correlated with chlorophyll content. This phenotypic relationship was verified across the three mapping populations as determined by principal component analysis, suggesting that these traits are under the control of complex and interrelated genetic components. The QTLs for leaf-related traits and chlorophyll are partly shared, which further supports the close genetic relationship between the two traits. The largest-effect major loci, q20, was stably identified across all population and environments and harbored the narrow leaflet gene Gm-JAG1 (Ln/ln), which is a key regulator of leaflet shape in soybean.ConclusionOur results uncover several major QTLs (q4–1, q4–2, q11, q13, q18 and q20) and its candidate genes specific or common to leaf-related traits and chlorophyll, and also show a complex epistatic interaction between the two traits. The SNP markers closely linked to these valuable QTLs could be used for molecular design breeding with improved plant architecture, photosynthetic capacity and even yield.
Highlights
Leaf size and shape, which affect light capture, and chlorophyll content are important factors affecting photosynthetic efficiency
The aims of this study were to i) analysis the phenotypic relationship between leaf-related traits and Chlorophyll content (CC) using three recombinant inbred lines (RILs) populations grown across multiple environments, ii) identify the genetic structure of the relationship between leaf related-traits and CC by using quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, iii) identify major QTLs that are stable in multiple environments, iv) identify molecular markers associated to valuable QTLs, which may be beneficial in improving both plant architecture and photosynthetic capacity, and v) predict potential candidate genes responsible for valuable QTLs
Leaf-related traits and chlorophyll content exhibited significant phenotypic variation in three soybean RIL populations A total of six parameters, leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), leaf area (LA), length to width ratio (L/W), CC, and 100SW, were measured to determine the variation of leaf size, shape, photosynthetic capacity, and yield related traits potential in a collection of three RIL mapping populations grown across two environments (Fig. 1, Table 1)
Summary
Leaf size and shape, which affect light capture, and chlorophyll content are important factors affecting photosynthetic efficiency Genetic variation of these components significantly affects yield potential and seed quality. Identification of the genetic basis for these traits and the relationship between them is of great practical significance for achieving ideal plant architecture and high photosynthetic efficiency for improved yield. Crop yield and quality are influenced by leaf-related traits, such as leaf shape, which affect light penetration, light absorption, CO2 fixation and photosynthetic efficiency, and the canopy structure of the population, determining the light distribution, light energy utilization efficiency and ventilation permeability [1]. Revealing the genetic relationships and epistasic interactions between leaf-related trait and CC QTLs and their interactions with the environment is of great practical significance for breeding soybean with high photosynthetic efficiency and high yield
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