Mapping quantitative trait loci for biomass yield and yield-related traits in lowland switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) multiple populations.

Abstract

Switchgrass can be used as an alternative source for bioenergy production. Many breeding programs focus on the genetic improvement of switchgrass for increasing biomass yield. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping can help to discover marker-trait associations and accelerate the breeding process through marker-assisted selection. To identify significant QTL, this study mapped seven hybrid populations and one combined of two hybrid populations (30 to 96 F1s) derived from Alamo and Kanlow genotypes. The populations were evaluated for biomass yield, plant height, and crown size in a simulated-sward plot with two replications at two locations in Tennessee from 2019 to 2021. The populations showed significant genetic variation for the evaluated traits and exhibited transgressive segregation. The 17,251 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated through genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) were used to construct a linkage map using a fast algorithm for multiple outbred families. The linkage map spanned 1,941 cM with an average interval of 0.11 cM between SNPs. The QTL analysis was performed on evaluated traits for each and across environments (year and location) that identified five QTL for biomass yield (Logarithm of the odds, LOD 3.12 to 4.34), four QTL for plant height (LOD 3.01 to 5.64), and seven QTL for crown size (LOD 3.0 to 4.46) (P ≤ 0.05). The major QTL for biomass yield, plant height, and crown size resided on chromosomes 8N, 6N, and 8 K explained phenotypic variations of 5.6, 5.1, and 6.6%, respectively. SNPs linked to QTL could be incorporated into marker-assisted breeding to maximize the selection gain in switchgrass breeding.