Abstract
Abstract Understanding the genetic basis of plant development in potato requires a proper characterization of plant morphology over time. Parameters related to different aging stages can be used to describe the developmental processes. It is attractive to map these traits simultaneously in a QTL analysis; because the power to detect a QTL will often be improved and it will be easier to identify pleiotropic QTLs. We included complex, agronomic traits together with plant development parameters in a multi-trait QTL analysis. First, the results of our analysis led to coherent insight into the genetic architecture of complex traits in potato. Secondly, QTL for parameters related to plant development were identified. Thirdly, pleiotropic regions for various types of traits were identified. Emergence, number of main stems, number of tubers and yield were explained by 9, 5, 4 and 6 QTL, respectively. These traits were measured once during the growing season. The genetic control of flowering, senescence and plant height, which were measured at regular time intervals, was explained by 9, 10 and 12 QTL, respectively. Genetic relationships between aboveground and belowground traits in potato were observed in 14 pleiotropic QTL. Some of our results suggest the presence of QTL-by-Environment interactions. Therefore, additional studies comparing development under different photoperiods are required to investigate the plasticity of the crop.
Highlights
The development of plants is a complex, dynamic process controlled by networks of genes as well as environmental factors
The aim of this study was to identify the genetic basis of plant developmental processes in potato by means of a multi-trait QTL analysis combining several traits describing plant development in time
The curve fitting approaches followed in our study provided an effective characterization of the developmental processes that occur during the potato life cycle under short day length conditions
Summary
The development of plants is a complex, dynamic process controlled by networks of genes as well as environmental factors. Conventional QTL mapping strategies neglect the fact that traits related to plant development are changing in time. In potato plant height and tuber size change in time, and their development is influenced by changing environmental factors during the growth season. Such traits should be represented by functions of time and/or variables describing the major changes in environmental factors over time. This requires an approach that is able to detect genetic effects related to plant development
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
