QTL analysis of fruit quality traits in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] using dense SNP maps

Abstract

8 Pags.- 1 Tabl. 2 Figs. From author's contribution at VIII International Peach Symposium (Matera, Italy. June 17-20, 2013). The definitive version is available at: http://www.actahort.org/index.htm ; Fruit quality is the main criterion used for selection of new varieties in peach, and it is usually defined by the conjunction of organoleptic and nutritional traits and postharvest behavior. The aim of this study was the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for several fruit quality traits using an F1 segregating population of 75 seedlings derived from the cross between 'Venus' and 'Big Top' nectarine cultivars. The progeny was evaluated over several years for agronomic and pomological characteristics (including basic quality traits and antioxidant compounds content) and also genotyped using SNPs included in the 'IPSC 9K peach SNP array v1' developed by the International Peach SNP Consortium, which carries 8,144 SNPs. Two preliminary dense genetic linkage maps were constructed for 'Venus' and 'Big Top', with 160 and 208 markers placed onto 11 linkage groups, respectively. A second round was used to identify QTLs that were mapped over twelve LG representing seven peach chromosomes. Some of the QTLs mapped in the same position of previously reported QTLs, interestingly QTLs for fructose in LG6 and phenolic compounds in LG2 were detected for the first time. LG4 in 'Venus' and LG5 in 'Big Top' maps presented the highest density of QTLs controlling several traits. This work represents the first study identifying QTLs for fruit quality traits using the high-density SNP array 'IPSC 9K peach SNP array v1' in an F1 nectarine family. ; This work was supported by the Spanish MICINN (Ministry of Science and Innovation) grants AGL-2008-00283 and AGL2011-24576 and co-funded by FEDER and the Regional Government of Aragón (A44). W. Abidi and J.L. Zeballos were supported by a JAE-Pre fellowship from CSIC and a Master fellow funded for the AECID (Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development). ; Peer reviewed