Identification of genetic loci associated with forage quality in response to water deficit in autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)
Abstract Background Alfalfa has been cultivated in many regions around the world as an important forage crop due to its nutritive value to livestock and ability to adapt to various environments. However, the genetic basis by which plasticity of quality-relevant traits influence alfalfa adaption to d...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Plant Biology |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12870-020-02520-2 |
| _version_ | 1818458461150642176 |
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| author | Sen Lin Cesar Augusto Medina Bill Boge Jinguo Hu Steven Fransen Steven Norberg Long-Xi Yu |
| author_facet | Sen Lin Cesar Augusto Medina Bill Boge Jinguo Hu Steven Fransen Steven Norberg Long-Xi Yu |
| author_sort | Sen Lin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Alfalfa has been cultivated in many regions around the world as an important forage crop due to its nutritive value to livestock and ability to adapt to various environments. However, the genetic basis by which plasticity of quality-relevant traits influence alfalfa adaption to different water conditions remain largely unknown. Results In the present study, 198 accessions of alfalfa of the core collection for drought tolerance were evaluated for 26 forage quality traits in a field trial under an imposed deficit irrigation gradient. Regression analysis between quality traits and water stress revealed that values of fiber-related traits were negatively correlated with values of energy-related traits as water deficit increased. More than one hundred significant markers associated with forage quality under different water treatments were identified using genome-wide association studies with genotyping by sequencing. Among them, 131 markers associated with multiple traits in all the water deficit treatments. Most of the associated markers were dependent to the levels of water deficit, suggesting genetic controls for forage quality traits were dependent to the stress treatment. Twenty-four loci associated with forage quality were annotated to functional genes that may play roles in cell development or in response to water stress. Conclusions This study addressed the genetic base of phenotypic variation of forage quality traits under water deficit. The SNP markers identified in this study will be useful in marker-assisted selection for the genetic improvement of alfalfa with enhanced drought tolerance while maintaining forage quality. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T22:58:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b97b4f1171574888be1aae4d27920212 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2229 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T22:58:49Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Plant Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-b97b4f1171574888be1aae4d279202122022-12-21T22:44:31ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292020-07-0120111810.1186/s12870-020-02520-2Identification of genetic loci associated with forage quality in response to water deficit in autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)Sen Lin0Cesar Augusto Medina1Bill Boge2Jinguo Hu3Steven Fransen4Steven Norberg5Long-Xi Yu6United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing ResearchUnited States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing ResearchUnited States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing ResearchUnited States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing ResearchIrrigated Agriculture Extension and Research Center, Washington State UniversityWashington State University Franklin County Extension OfficeUnited States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing ResearchAbstract Background Alfalfa has been cultivated in many regions around the world as an important forage crop due to its nutritive value to livestock and ability to adapt to various environments. However, the genetic basis by which plasticity of quality-relevant traits influence alfalfa adaption to different water conditions remain largely unknown. Results In the present study, 198 accessions of alfalfa of the core collection for drought tolerance were evaluated for 26 forage quality traits in a field trial under an imposed deficit irrigation gradient. Regression analysis between quality traits and water stress revealed that values of fiber-related traits were negatively correlated with values of energy-related traits as water deficit increased. More than one hundred significant markers associated with forage quality under different water treatments were identified using genome-wide association studies with genotyping by sequencing. Among them, 131 markers associated with multiple traits in all the water deficit treatments. Most of the associated markers were dependent to the levels of water deficit, suggesting genetic controls for forage quality traits were dependent to the stress treatment. Twenty-four loci associated with forage quality were annotated to functional genes that may play roles in cell development or in response to water stress. Conclusions This study addressed the genetic base of phenotypic variation of forage quality traits under water deficit. The SNP markers identified in this study will be useful in marker-assisted selection for the genetic improvement of alfalfa with enhanced drought tolerance while maintaining forage quality.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12870-020-02520-2NIRSDroughtGWASGenetic lociPhenotypic variationGenetic diversity |
| spellingShingle | Sen Lin Cesar Augusto Medina Bill Boge Jinguo Hu Steven Fransen Steven Norberg Long-Xi Yu Identification of genetic loci associated with forage quality in response to water deficit in autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) BMC Plant Biology NIRS Drought GWAS Genetic loci Phenotypic variation Genetic diversity |
| title | Identification of genetic loci associated with forage quality in response to water deficit in autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) |
| title_full | Identification of genetic loci associated with forage quality in response to water deficit in autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) |
| title_fullStr | Identification of genetic loci associated with forage quality in response to water deficit in autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identification of genetic loci associated with forage quality in response to water deficit in autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) |
| title_short | Identification of genetic loci associated with forage quality in response to water deficit in autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) |
| title_sort | identification of genetic loci associated with forage quality in response to water deficit in autotetraploid alfalfa medicago sativa l |
| topic | NIRS Drought GWAS Genetic loci Phenotypic variation Genetic diversity |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12870-020-02520-2 |
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