Abstract
An increasing interest in the cultivation of (European) hazelnut (Corylus avellana) is driving a demand to breed cultivars adapted to non-conventional environments, particularly in the context of incipient climate change. Given that plant phenology is so strongly determined by genotype, a rational approach to support these breeding efforts will be to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and the genes underlying the basis for adaptation. The present study was designed to map QTLs for phenology-related traits, such as the timing of both male and female flowering, dichogamy, and the period required for nuts to reach maturity. The analysis took advantage of an existing linkage map developed from a population of F1 progeny bred from the cross “Tonda Gentile delle Langhe” × “Merveille de Bollwiller,” consisting in 11 LG. A total of 42 QTL-harboring regions were identified. Overall, 71 QTLs were detected, 49 on the TGdL map and 22 on the MB map; among these, 21 were classified as major; 13 were detected in at least two of the seasons (stable-major QTL). In detail, 20 QTLs were identified as contributing to the time of male flowering, 15 to time of female flowering, 25 to dichogamy, and 11 to time of nut maturity. LG02 was found to harbor 16 QTLs, while 15 QTLs mapped to LG10 and 14 to LG03. Many of the QTLs were clustered with one another. The major cluster was located on TGdL_02 and consisted of mainly major QTLs governing all the analyzed traits. A search of the key genomic regions revealed 22 candidate genes underlying the set of traits being investigated. Many of them have been described in the literature as involved in processes related to flowering, control of dormancy, budburst, the switch from vegetative to reproductive growth, or the morphogenesis of flowers and seeds.
Highlights
IntroductionThe increased interest in this crop is fueling a demand for cultivars adapted to non-conventional environments, in the context of incipient climate change
The European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L., 2n = 2x = 22) is a high-value cash crop, with the two largest producers being Turkey and Italy, and growing industry in several other countries worldwide (Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database [FAOSTAT], 2021)
The present study explores the genetic architecture of phenology traits in a progeny of Corylus avellana
Summary
The increased interest in this crop is fueling a demand for cultivars adapted to non-conventional environments, in the context of incipient climate change. The phenological traits are QTL Mapping for Hazelnut Phenology considered key to adaptation (Ghelardini et al, 2014) and include the time of male and female flowering, budburst, and nut maturity. Hazelnut plants are monoecious, wind-pollinated, and most cultivars are dichogamous, that is the male and female reproductive organs mature at different times. As is the case for most plant species, is both under strong genetic control, and strongly influenced by the environmental factors (Jung and Müller, 2009) and is a major factor to be considered in climatic adaptation both to warm and frosty areas (Ntladi et al, 2018). In pear (Pyrus communis), for example, the failure to satisfy the plant’s chilling requirement compromises vegetative budburst (Gabay et al, 2018)
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