Genetic analysis and candidate gene mining of flowering time in cucumber under low-light stress
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Low-light stress significantly impacts the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), making it essential to comprehensively understand the genetic mechanisms governing flowering time adaptation. In this study, the genetic characteristics were analyzed using a mixed model encompassing major genes and polygenes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was performed via specific length amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq), followed by precise QTL mapping with SSR markers. For the first female flowering time (FFT), the optimal model, E-1 (MX2-ADI-AD), includes two pairs of additive dominant epistatic major genes plus addictive-dominant polygenes, with an additive × dominant interaction (jab) of 4.16 and a major gene heritability (h2mg) of 59.52%. For the first male flowering time (FMT), the optimal model was E-5 (MX2-ADE-AD), controlled by two pairs of completely dominant major genes and additive-dominant polygenes, with h2mg and polygene heritability (h2pg) of 28.48% and 58.33%, respectively. QTL analysis identified QFFT1.1 on chromosome 1 (Chr.1) for FFT, explaining 11.77% of phenotypic variation (Max LOD = 3.825, additive effect (ADD) = 9.087, dominant effect (DOM) = −4.383) and comprising 52 candidate genes. For FMT, QFMT6.1 on Chr.6 accounted for 6.89% of phenotypic variation (LOD = 3.320, additive effect = −2.123, dominance effect = −2.036), covering 479 kb and including 42 candidate genes. A total of two FFT-related genes and two FMT-related genes were identified, respectively through GO functional annotation and allelic diversity analysis. These findings provide a theoretical basis for further research into cucumber genes conferring low light.
Source: Vegetable Research
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410767679