Dissection of figured wood trait in curly birch (Betula pendula Roth var. carelica (Mercklin) Hämet-Ahti) using high-throughput genotyping

Abstract Curly (Karelian) birch is a special variety of Betula pendula Roth distributed in the northwestern part of Europe. Karelian birch is well-known for its valuable figured curly wood also known as “wooden marble”. The genetic basis underlying curly wood formation has been debated since last century, however, there was no data about loci responsible for the curly wood trait. In the present study, we analyzed two full-sibs populations derived from experimental crosses of curly birches and segregating for the trait. RADseq genotyping was applied to reveal how many loci are involved in ‘curliness’ formation and to search for genetic variants associated with this trait. One single interval on chromosome 10 was detected containing possible candidate genes. InDel marker BpCW1 was suggested for the first time for marker-assisted selection of trees with curly wood at their earliest stages of development

Genetic mapping of loci involved in oil tocopherol composition control in Russian sunflower (<i>Helianthus annuus</i> L.) lines

AbstractTocopherols are antioxidants that preserve oil lipids against oxidation and serve as a natural source of vitamin E in the human diet. Compared with other major oilseeds like rapeseed and soybean, sunflower (Helianthus annuu

QTL mapping of oleic acid content in modern VNIIMK sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) lines by using GBS-based SNP map.

Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid increasing oil oxidative stability. High content of oleic acid is thus a valuable trait in oilseed crops. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) normally accumulates linoleic acid as a major fatty acid, but a mutant expressing a high oleic phenotype form was previously obtained by chemical mutagenesis and mapped on the sunflower genome. Several studies suggest the presence of additional genes involved in the control of the high content of oleic acid, with their expression possibly depending on the genetic background. To test this hypothesis, we performed a QTL mapping of the high oleic acid trait within two independent F2 crosses involving lines with contrasting oleic acid content from the Pustovoit All-Russia Research Institute of Oil Crops (VNIIMK) collection. We applied genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) to construct single nucleotide polymorphism-based genetic maps and performed QTL mapping using quantitative and qualitative encoding for oleic acid content. Our results support the finding that the oleic acid content in the assessed crosses is controlled by one major effect locus. However, different dominant/recessive effects of the major locus were reported for both crosses. Additionally, a possible translocation between chromosome 7 and 14 was reported in one assessed cross. We defined a set of single nucleotide polymorphism markers for each cross which could be used for marker-assisted selection

UPLC–MS Triglyceride Profiling in Sunflower and Rapeseed Seeds

Sunflower and rapeseed are among the most important sources of vegetable oil for food and industry. The main components of vegetable oil are triglycerides (TAGs) (about 97%). Ultra- performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC&ndash;MS) profiling of TAGs in sunflower and rapeseed has been performed and the TAG profiles obtained for these species have been compared. It has been identified that 34 TAGs are shared by sunflower and rapeseed. It was demonstrated that TAGs 52:2, 52:5, 52:6, 54:3; 54:4, 54:7, 56:3, 56:4, and 56:5 had the highest variability levels between sunflower and rapeseed with the higher presence in rapeseed. TAGs 50:2, 52:3, 52:4, 54:5, and 54:6 also showed high variability, but were the most abundant in sunflower. Moreover, the differences in TAG composition between the winter-type and spring-type rapeseed have been revealed, which may be associated with freezing tolerance. It was shown that winter-type rapeseed seeds contain TAGs with a lower degree of saturation, while in spring-type rapeseed highly saturated lipids are the most abundant. These findings may give new insights into the cold resistance mechanisms in plants the understanding of which is especially important in terms of global climate changes

Association Mapping of Fertility Restorer Gene for CMS PET1 in Sunflower

The phenomenon of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), consisting in the inability to produce functional pollen due to mutations in mitochondrial genome, has been described in more than 150 plant species. With the discovery of nuclear fertility restorer (Rf) genes capable of suppressing the CMS phenotype, it became possible to use the CMS-Rf genetic systems as the basis for practical utilization of heterosis effect in various crops. Seed production of sunflower hybrids all over the world is based on the extensive use of the PET1 CMS combined with the Rf1 gene. At the same time, data on Rf1 localization, sequence, and molecular basis for the CMS PET1 type restoration of fertility remain unknown. Searching for candidate genes of the Rf1 gene has great fundamental and practical value. Therefore, in this study, association mapping of fertility restorer gene for CMS PET1 in sunflower was performed. The genome-wide association study (GWAS) results made it possible to isolate a segment 7.72 Mb in length on chromosome 13, in which 21 candidates for Rf1 fertility restorer gene were identified, including 20 pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR)family genes and one Probable aldehyde dehydrogenase gene. The results will serve as a basis for further study of the genetic nature and molecular mechanisms of pollen fertility restoration in sunflower, as well as for further intensification of sunflower breeding