Advancing cotton improvement: a review of functional gene mining through molecular markers, GWAS, and map-based cloning

Molecular Markers Associated with Genetic Diversity, Stress Tolerance, and Breeding Traits in Theobroma cacao: A Review

This comprehensive review demonstrates that shifting from reactive field evaluation to marker-driven, genomics-assisted precision design provides the definitive molecular framework required to engineer high-yielding, climate-resilient, and disease-proof cacao cultivars, thereby permanently safeguarding the long-term economic sustainability of global cocoa supply chains.

MianxinNo.1: a modern cultivar genome-informed SNP array based on cGPS technology for genomics-assisted breeding in cotton

Genome-Wide Association Study of Genes Conferring Tiller Number in Rice Region of South-China

Rice tiller number is a key determinant of panicle number and yield, yet its genetic architecture is highly influenced by environmental variation. Identifying loci showing reproducible effects across multiple growing seasons at the same experimental site is important for improving the reliability of GWAS-based locus prioritization for breeding. In this study, 240 rice accessions from the Rice3K panel were evaluated for tiller number over three growing seasons (2021–2023) in Sanya, Hainan Province, representing the South China rice-growing region. Genome-wide association analyses using GLM and MLM, combined with BLUEs, identified reproducible genetic signals. Several previously reported tillering-related genes, such as NAL1, BON3, ANT1, MRG702, D27, WTG1, and VPE2, were detected across different analyses. Among them, NAL1 and ANT1 represented the most consistently associated loci across three growing seasons and statistical models. Gene-based association analysis identified the promoter variants Chr4:31203262 (C/T) in NAL1 and Chr7:7310528 (G/A) in ANT1 as the lead polymorphisms, with the favorable C and G alleles associated with increased tiller number, respectively. In addition, nine putative candidate loci showing suggestive associations across three growing seasons were identified as putative candidate breeding resources. These results highlight the importance of integrating multi-year phenotyping with GWAS to prioritize loci showing reproducible associations across three growing seasons and provide valuable candidate genetic resources for future molecular improvement of rice adapted to the South China rice-growing region.

Association Mapping of Seedling Resistance to Fusarium graminearum Root Rot and Development of KASP Assays in Soybean

Soybean root rot caused by Fusarium graminearum is an important soil-borne disease. It hinders seedling establishment and ultimately reduces soybean yield. Resistant germplasm and reliable molecular markers are therefore needed for resistance breeding. In this study, 336 soybean accessions were evaluated for resistance to F. graminearum root rot using the disease severity index (DSI), which ranged from 5.71 to 100.00 across the association panel. Genome-wide association analysis was performed using resequencing-based single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data with mixed linear model (MLM) and Fixed and random model Circulating Probability Unification (FarmCPU) models, which detected 117 and 113 candidate resistance-associated SNPs, respectively. Among these, 105 shared SNPs were used to define candidate genomic intervals containing 247 annotated genes. Based on Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment, functional annotation, and allelic-effect analysis, six candidate genes and their associated exonic SNPs were prioritized. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis showed infection-responsive expression patterns for all six candidate genes, with Glyma.17g202500 and Glyma.18g266700 showing stronger induction in the resistant accession. Two SNPs in these genes were converted into Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) assays. KASP-S17_32244510 and KASP-S18_55105706 were successfully developed for genotype screening, with screening efficiencies of 73.08% and 74.29%, respectively. These findings identify useful genetic targets and molecular markers for improving soybean resistance to root rot caused by F. graminearum.

From QTL to candidate genes: a data-driven approach to unravel the genetic architecture of yellow rust resistance in central European wheat

A new approach to identify environment-specific quantitative trait loci (QTL) using GWAS and the validated resistance gene Yr27 was identified as sole candidate gene for one QTL region of particular relevance for Central European wheat.

Genomic Insights into the Genetic Diversity, Selection Signals, and Agronomic Traits of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm in Zhejiang Province

Elucidating the evolutionary trajectories and genetic basis of critical agronomic traits in regional rice germplasm is paramount for discovering elite allelic variations for crop improvement. Here, we systematically characterized a panel of 109 rice accessions from Zhejiang Province through whole-genome resequencing (~10× coverage) coupled with two years of rigorous field phenotypic evaluations. A total of 4,753,071 high-quality genomic variants, including 4,147,316 SNPs, were identified across the genome. Population structure and evolutionary analyses revealed sharp genetic differentiation at the subspecies level, partitioning the panel into distinct indica and japonica clusters accompanied by intricate subpopulation stratification and historical gene flow. Through a joint scanning of the fixation index (Fst) and nucleotide diversity (Pi) ratios, three prominent selective sweep regions (qSS1, qSS10, and qSS12) driving subspecific differentiation were captured on chromosomes 1, 10, and 12. Notably, the qSS12 locus harbors the sucrose transporter gene OsSUT2, indicating that carbohydrate transport and energy metabolism served as core genomic targets driving the indica–japonica divergence. Furthermore, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) successfully mapped 9 significant loci modulating heading date, effective tiller number, and grain size. Subsequent gene-based haplotype analyses within these target intervals pinpointed elite allelic variations in core candidate genes, including OsSPX1 (phosphate homeostasis, 1000-grain weight), Chl9 (chlorophyll synthesis, grain width), and OsCER1 (wax biosynthesis, panicle length). Collectively, this study deciphers the genomic landscape and subspecies differentiation patterns of Zhejiang rice germplasm, providing pivotal molecular targets and invaluable genomic resources for germplasm conservation and precision molecular breeding.