SNP markers associated with some root, stolon, and tuber traits in tetraploid Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown under diverse growing systems.

Abstract

Potato ranks 1st among non-cereal crops and grows around the globe. It has a lot of nutritious values like carbohydrates, minerals, calcium, and antioxidants that are necessary for the human diet. As the population grows quickly, it is imperative to breed the crop and create high-yielding varieties that meet the demand. Numerous loci, environmental factors, and their interactions all have an impact on the phenotypic diversity of numerous significant traits in plants. One approach put forth in recent years for genetic research and finding quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for the specific trait is association mapping. The purpose of the study was to pinpoint the genetic underpins of significant underground traits. A panel of 192 diverse tetraploid potato genotypes from different countries were grown under different growing conditions (i.e., aeroponics and pot) to study root, stolon and tuber traits. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) were found between the genotypes for all examined traits, and the heritability of the traits ranged from (H2 = 0.74 to 0.94). Genotyping was carried out using the SolCAP 25K array. A GWASpoly R package was implemented for the marker-trait association, and 78 genomic regions were associated with the traits being investigated The identified SNPs have their putative gene functions of root and stolon architecture and tubers growth (i.e., WRKY transcription factor, MAPK, the GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (i.e., GTPCHI), Glutathionyl-hydroquinone reductase, and pyrophosphate—fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase subunit alpha (PFPase). The history of potato breeding was reflected in LD patterns. The results of this study provide a framework that could be helpful for future potato breeding programs to increase production and reduce the challenges of feeding the world's population in the years to come.