This study was performed to identify marker loci associated with important agronomic traits and oil content under two moisture conditions and find stable associations in test environments in a worldwide collection of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). Association analysis was conducted between eight important traits and 341 polymorphic AFLP markers produced by 10 primer combinations (EcoRI/MseI) in 100 safflower genotypes. The results of population structure analysis identified three main subpopulations possessing significant genetic differences revealed by analysis of molecular variance. Association analysis explained the highest percentage of trait variation for seed yield (38%) under drought-stress conditions and number of seeds per capitulum (27.75%) under normal conditions. Four markers (M51/E41-6, M51/E41-4, M61/E40-6 and M62/E40-17) in drought-stress conditions and two markers (M62/E40-35 and M47/E37-13) in normal conditions were simultaneously associated with seed and oil yield. The markers stably associated with traits in all test environments included M62/E40-35 with seed yield in normal conditions, M62/E40-17 with seed yield in drought stress conditions, and M62/E41-11 with oil yield in drought-stress conditions. Significant relationships were identified between oil content and three markers (M61/E40-6, M47/E37-8 and M51/E32-9) under drought-stress conditions, and three markers (M61/E2-2, M61/E40-6 and M51/E41-12) under normal conditions. Among them, M51/E32-9 and M61/E2-2 markers showed stable association with oil content under drought-stress and normal conditions, respectively. Detected markers would be useful in marker-assisted breeding programs for safflower improvement in arid and semi-arid area.

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Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have introduced an influential tool in the search for quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing economically important traits in sheep. To identify QTL associated with greasy fleece weight, a GWAS with 50 K single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was performed in a Baluchi sheep population. Association with greasy fleece weights was tested using the software Plink. The results of our GWAS provided three novel SNP markers and candidate genes associated with greasy fleece weight. A total of three chromosome-wide significant associations were detected for SNP on chromosomes 17 and 20 affecting greasy fleece weight across the four shearing. One of the significant SNP markers was located within ovine known genes namely FAM101A. Further investigation of these identified regions in validation studies will facilitate the identification of strong candidate genes for wool production in sheep.

Background Water-deficit stress is known as one of the most severe environmental stresses affecting the growth of plants through marked reduction of water uptake, which leads to osmotic stress by lowering water potential. Adopting appropriate varieties using soil microorganisms, such as arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi, can significantly reduce the adverse effects of water deficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the role of Funneliformis mosseae on nutrient uptake and certain physiological traits of two chamomile varieties, namely Bodgold (Bod) and Soroksári (Sor) under osmotic stress. For pot culture, a factorial experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with three factors: osmotic stress (PEG 6000) was applied along with Hoagland solution at three levels (0, -0.4 and -0.8 MPa), two German chamomile varieties (Bodgold (Bod) and Soroksari (Sor)), and AM inoculation (Funneliformis mosseae species (fungal and non-fungal)) at four replications in perlite substrate. Results Osmotic stress significantly reduced the uptake of macro-nutrients (N and P) and micro-nutrients (Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn) in the shoots and roots. Moreover, the level of osmolytes (total soluble sugars and proline) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the shoots of both varieties increased under osmotic stress. Regarding the Sor variety, the level of these compounds was more satisfactory. AM improved plant nutrition uptake and osmolyte contents while enhancing antioxidant enzymes and reducing the adverse effects of osmotic stress. Under osmotic stress, the growth and total dry weight were improved upon AM inoculation. Conclusions In general, inoculation of chamomile with AM balanced the uptake of nutrients and increased the level of osmolytes and antioxidant enzymes; hence, it improved plant characteristics under osmotic stress in both varieties. However, it was found to be more effective in reducing stress damages in the Sor variety.