Genome-wide association study reveals the genetic architecture of 27 yield-related traits in tomato

Ye, J.; Wang, X.; Wang, W.; Yu, H.; Ai, G.; Li, C.; Sun, P.; Li, H.; Ouyang, B.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, Y.; Giovannoni, J.; Fei, Z.; Ye, Z.

doi:10.1101/2020.10.01.322214

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.10.01.322214

Genome-wide association study reveals the genetic architecture of 27 yield-related traits in tomato

Ye, J.·Wang, X.·Wang, W.·Yu, H.·Ai, G.·Li, C.·Sun, P.·Li, H.·Ouyang, B.·Zhang, J.·Zhang, Y.·Giovannoni, J.·Fei, Z.·Ye, Z.

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Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a highly valuable vegetable crop and yield is one of the most important traits. Uncovering the genetic architecture of yield-related traits in tomato is critical for the management of vegetative and reproductive development, thereby enhancing yield. Here we perform a comprehensive genome-wide association study for 27 yield-related traits in tomato. A total of 239 significant associations corresponding to 129 loci, harboring many reported and novel genes related to vegetative and reproductive development, were identified, and these loci explained an average of [~]8.8% of the phenotypic variance. A total of 51 loci associated with 25 traits have been under selection, especially during tomato improvement. Furthermore, a candidate gene, SlALMT15 that encodes an aluminum-activated malate transporter, was functionally characterized and shown to act as a pivotal regulator of leaf stomata formation through increasing photosynthesis and drought resistance. This study provides valuable information for tomato genetic research and breeding.

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Ye, J., Wang, X., Wang, W., Yu, H., Ai, G., Li, C., Sun, P., Li, H., Ouyang, B., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y., Giovannoni, J., Fei, Z., Ye, Z.. 2020-10-01. Genome-wide association study reveals the genetic architecture of 27 yield-related traits in tomato. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.10.01.322214

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