Genetic basis of maturity time is independent from that of flowering time and contributes to ecotype differentiation in common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

Abstract

Background Common buckwheat is considered a quantitative short-day plant and is classified into the autumn (highly photoperiod sensitive), summer (weakly photoperiod sensitive), and intermediate ecotype. Understanding ecotype differentiation is essential for adaptive expansion and maximizing yield. The genetic analysis for ecotype has focused on photoperiod-dependent flowering time, whereas post-flowering traits such as seed set and maturity time might also regulate ecotype differentiation. Results A field experiment revealed that ecotype differentiation is mainly defined by the timing of seed set and maturation, whereas flowering time is less relevant. Thus, we focused on maturity time as a trait that defines the ecotype. To detect QTLs for maturity time, we developed two F2 populations derived from early × late-maturing accessions and intermediate × late-maturing accessions. Using genotyping by random amplicon sequencing–direct analysis, we generated a high-density linkage map. QTL analysis detected two major QTLs for maturity time, one in each F2 population. We also detected QTLs for flowering time at loci different from maturity time QTLs, which suggests that different genetic mechanisms regulate flowering and maturity. Association analysis showed that both QTLs for maturity time were significantly associated with variations in the trait across years. Conclusions Maturity time appeared to be more suitable for explaining ecotype differentiation than flowering time, and different genetic mechanisms would regulate the timing of flowering and maturation. The QTLs and QTL-linked markers for maturity time detected here may be useful to extend the cultivation area and to fine-tune the growth period to maximize yield in buckwheat.

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis and fine-mapping for <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> disease resistance in <i>Raphanus sativus</i> using GRAS-Di technology

“…This method can be ap-plied to thousands of samples by using primer sets containing different index sequences (Miki et al 2020). Use of GRAS-Di maps has been applied in several cultivars because of the high reproducibility of this method and the very low percentage of missing values (Fekih et al 2023, Miki et al 2020, Moriya et al 2021, Takeshima et al 2022, Umeda et al 2021. However, there are no reports of using this method for linkage mapping in cruciferous crops.…”

Pollen parent affects rutin content of seeds of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)

“…has been used as a maternal line to introduce self-compatibility into other lines, such as 'Kyukei SC7'(Hara et al, 2020;Takeshima et al, 2021Takeshima et al, , 2022. A PL4 genome database recently developed by a research group including ourselves(Fawcett et al, 2023) has provided much genetic information.Flavonoids, including rutin, also known as quercetin-glycoside-rhamnoside, are synthesized via the avonoid biosynthesis pathway in several sequential steps within the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway(Matsui and Walker, 2020).…”