Identification of major QTL for seed number per pod on chromosome A05 of tetraploid peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

The inheritance of pod- and seed-number traits (PSNT) in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is poorly understood. In the present study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 188 lines was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for number of seeds per pod (NSP), number of pods per plant (NPP), and numbers of one-, two-, and three-seeded pods per plant (N1PP, N2PP, and N3PP) in four environments. A total of 28 consensus QTL and 14 single QTL were identified, including 11 major and stable QTL. Four major and stable QTL including qN3PPA5.2, qN3PPA5.4, qN3PPA5.5, and qN3PPA5.7 each explained 12.3%–33.0% of phenotype variation. By use of another integrated linkage map for the A5 group (hereafter referred to as INT A5 group), QTL for PSNT were located in seven intervals of 0.73–9.68 Mb in length on chromosome A05, and candidate genes underlying N3PP were suggested. These findings shed light on the genetic basis of PSNT. Major QTL for N3PP could be used as candidates for further positional cloning. Keywords: Peanut, Number, Pod, Seed, QTL