High-density QTL mapping of leaf-related traits and chlorophyll content in three soybean RIL populations

BMC Plant Biology

Xiaoqian Liu¹  Huanqing Xu¹  Kaiye Yu¹  Yuming Yang¹  Dan Zhang¹  Chongyuan Sun¹  Lidong Dong²  Jinshe Wang³ 

[1] National Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Grain Crops, Agronomy College, Henan Agricultural University, 450002, Zhengzhou, Henan, China;School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, 510006, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China;Zhengzhou National Subcenter for Soybean Improvement, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 450002, Zhengzhou, Henan, China;

关键词: Soybean;    Leaves related traits;    Chlorophyll content;    Quantitative trait loci;    Genetic relationship;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12870-020-02684-x

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY