A novel genetic map of pomegranate based on transcript markers enriched with QTLs for fruit quality traits

摘要

A novel genetic map of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) enriched with quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for seven traits was constructed using an F2 population. The population was generated from a cross between two varieties of P. granatum: "Nana" and "Black." Phenotyping of 76 F2 plants was conducted over two seasons. The map includes 1092 SNP markers which were newly developed from de novo transcriptome assembly and a comparison of the sequences of the two varieties or accessions. The map covers 1141 centimorgans (cM) with an average of 1.17 cM between markers over 11 linkage groups. Twenty-five QTLs were identified for fruit traits and plant size. The map includes QTLs for total soluble solids (TSS), fruit weight and perimeter, seed hardness, aril color and weight, and plant height. In an effort to explore the potential of the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) pomegranate germplasm collection to associate traits with gene markers, an association study was conducted using a set of 346 SNPs described in an earlier study. Of these SNPs, 233 were mapped on the genetic map and found to be distributed in the different linkage groups (LGs). The associated traits were anchored to the map by these common markers. The F2 population described here and the corresponding genetic map provide a useful resource for further genomics and genetic studies of pomegranate, as well as a reservoir of markers for fruit improvement.