Identification of genetic loci for growth and stem form traits in hybrid Liriodendron via a genome-wide association study

A key objective of forest tree breeding programs is to enhance traits related to growth and stem form, to cultivate plantations that exhibit rapid growth, straight trunks with minimal taper, and superior wood quality to meet the demands of modern timber production. Notably, Liriodendron species exhi...

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Main Authors: Fengchao Zhang, Xiao Liu, Hui Xia, Hainan Wu, Yaxian Zong, Huogen Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Maximum Academic Press 2025-01-01
Series:Forestry Research
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Online Access:https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/forres-0025-0001
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author Fengchao Zhang
Xiao Liu
Hui Xia
Hainan Wu
Yaxian Zong
Huogen Li
author_facet Fengchao Zhang
Xiao Liu
Hui Xia
Hainan Wu
Yaxian Zong
Huogen Li
author_sort Fengchao Zhang
collection DOAJ
description A key objective of forest tree breeding programs is to enhance traits related to growth and stem form, to cultivate plantations that exhibit rapid growth, straight trunks with minimal taper, and superior wood quality to meet the demands of modern timber production. Notably, Liriodendron species exhibit notable heterosis in interspecies hybrids, with hybrid Liriodendron displaying rapid growth rates, straight trunks, and wide adaptability. However, the genetic architecture underlying growth and stem form traits remains unclear, hindering the progress of genetic improvement efforts. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) emerges as an effective approach for identifying target genes and clarifying genetic architectures. In this study, a comprehensive analysis was conducted using an artificial population of 233 hybrid progeny derived from 25 hybrid combinations and resequenced to obtain genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and insertion and deletion (InDel) variants. After filtering, a total of 192,972 SNP loci and 60,666 InDel loci were obtained, which were subsequently analyzed for associations using the R package GAPIT. We identified 97 significant SNP loci and 58 significant InDel loci (−Log10(P) ≥ 4.50), respectively, culminating in the identification of 161 candidate genes. The functions of these candidate genes were annotated, revealing potential associations between Lchi_2g03172 and Lchi_10g19986 genes with the growth of hybrid Liriodendron, and highlighting the potential influence of the Lchi_16g30522 gene on the growth and branching of hybrid Liriodendron. Overall, this study serves as a foundational step towards unraveling the genetic architecture underpinning growth and stem form in Liriodendron plants.
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spelling doaj-art-80297af9ba7846d39b96df103cc13a9e2025-08-20T02:27:18ZengMaximum Academic PressForestry Research2767-38122025-01-01511910.48130/forres-0025-0001forres-0025-0001Identification of genetic loci for growth and stem form traits in hybrid Liriodendron via a genome-wide association studyFengchao Zhang0Xiao Liu1Hui Xia2Hainan Wu3Yaxian Zong4Huogen Li5State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaA key objective of forest tree breeding programs is to enhance traits related to growth and stem form, to cultivate plantations that exhibit rapid growth, straight trunks with minimal taper, and superior wood quality to meet the demands of modern timber production. Notably, Liriodendron species exhibit notable heterosis in interspecies hybrids, with hybrid Liriodendron displaying rapid growth rates, straight trunks, and wide adaptability. However, the genetic architecture underlying growth and stem form traits remains unclear, hindering the progress of genetic improvement efforts. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) emerges as an effective approach for identifying target genes and clarifying genetic architectures. In this study, a comprehensive analysis was conducted using an artificial population of 233 hybrid progeny derived from 25 hybrid combinations and resequenced to obtain genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and insertion and deletion (InDel) variants. After filtering, a total of 192,972 SNP loci and 60,666 InDel loci were obtained, which were subsequently analyzed for associations using the R package GAPIT. We identified 97 significant SNP loci and 58 significant InDel loci (−Log10(P) ≥ 4.50), respectively, culminating in the identification of 161 candidate genes. The functions of these candidate genes were annotated, revealing potential associations between Lchi_2g03172 and Lchi_10g19986 genes with the growth of hybrid Liriodendron, and highlighting the potential influence of the Lchi_16g30522 gene on the growth and branching of hybrid Liriodendron. Overall, this study serves as a foundational step towards unraveling the genetic architecture underpinning growth and stem form in Liriodendron plants.https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/forres-0025-0001growthstemgenome-wide association studyhybrid liriodendroncandidate genes
spellingShingle Fengchao Zhang
Xiao Liu
Hui Xia
Hainan Wu
Yaxian Zong
Huogen Li
Identification of genetic loci for growth and stem form traits in hybrid Liriodendron via a genome-wide association study
Forestry Research
growth
stem
genome-wide association study
hybrid liriodendron
candidate genes
title Identification of genetic loci for growth and stem form traits in hybrid Liriodendron via a genome-wide association study
title_full Identification of genetic loci for growth and stem form traits in hybrid Liriodendron via a genome-wide association study
title_fullStr Identification of genetic loci for growth and stem form traits in hybrid Liriodendron via a genome-wide association study
title_full_unstemmed Identification of genetic loci for growth and stem form traits in hybrid Liriodendron via a genome-wide association study
title_short Identification of genetic loci for growth and stem form traits in hybrid Liriodendron via a genome-wide association study
title_sort identification of genetic loci for growth and stem form traits in hybrid liriodendron via a genome wide association study
topic growth
stem
genome-wide association study
hybrid liriodendron
candidate genes
url https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/forres-0025-0001
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AT huixia identificationofgeneticlociforgrowthandstemformtraitsinhybridliriodendronviaagenomewideassociationstudy
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AT huogenli identificationofgeneticlociforgrowthandstemformtraitsinhybridliriodendronviaagenomewideassociationstudy