Candidate gene analysis of fruit pedicel length based on genome-wide association study in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Fruit pedicel length (FPL) is a crucial agronomic trait in cucumber, affecting fruit development, cultivation management, and adaptability to mechanized harvesting. Despite its importance, the genes regulating fruit pedicel length have not been reported yet in cucumber. Here, we phenotyped 266 core cucumber accessions for FPL across two environments and performed a genome-wide association study. Five significant loci associated with FPL were identified: gFPL2.1, gFPL3.1, gFPL3.2, gFPL5.1 and gFPL7.1. Based on pairwise linkage disequilibrium correlation, sequencing analysis and qRT-PCR analysis of these loci, we identified four candidate genes potentially influencing FPL, including CsaV4_2G003418 for gFPL2.1, CsaV4_3G001234 for gFPL3.1, CsaV4_3G004527 for gFPL3.2, and CsaV4_7G000548 for gFPL7.1. Our findings identified the genetic foundation of cucumber FPL, offering valuable markers for breeding mechanical harvesting-optimized cultivars and a foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanism regulating pedicel elongation.
Source: Scientia Horticulturae
Authors: Yingxu Dong, Shaoyun Dong, Jiantao Guan, Xiaoping Liu, Xuemei Yan, Caixia Li, Yanru Fu, Xingfang Gu, Shengping Zhang, Han Miao
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,000
Funders: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Earmarked Fund for Modern Agro-industry Technology Research System, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program
Awards: G940371900, G941898464
OpenAlex ID: W4414962743