Genome-wide association analysis in peanut accessions uncovers the genetic basis regulating oil and fatty acid variation

Abstract Background The cultivated peanut, Arachis hypogaea L., is a critical oil and food crop worldwide. Improving seed oil quality in peanut has long been an aim of breeders. However, our knowledge of the genetic basis of selecting for seed nutritional traits is limited. Based on AhFAD2A and AhFA...

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Main Authors: Jing Xu, Xiao Jiang, Xiangzhen Yin, Xuhong Zhao, Na Chen, Lijuan Pan, Chun Fu, Yanlin Jiao, Junqing Ma, Mei Yuan, Xiaoyuan Chi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06690-9
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author Jing Xu
Xiao Jiang
Xiangzhen Yin
Xuhong Zhao
Na Chen
Lijuan Pan
Chun Fu
Yanlin Jiao
Junqing Ma
Mei Yuan
Xiaoyuan Chi
author_facet Jing Xu
Xiao Jiang
Xiangzhen Yin
Xuhong Zhao
Na Chen
Lijuan Pan
Chun Fu
Yanlin Jiao
Junqing Ma
Mei Yuan
Xiaoyuan Chi
author_sort Jing Xu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The cultivated peanut, Arachis hypogaea L., is a critical oil and food crop worldwide. Improving seed oil quality in peanut has long been an aim of breeders. However, our knowledge of the genetic basis of selecting for seed nutritional traits is limited. Based on AhFAD2A and AhFAD2B, scientists have now developed higher oleic acid (80–84%) in peanut. Decoding the genetic makeup behind natural variation in kernel oil and fatty acid concentrations is crucial for molecular breeding-based nutrient quantity and quality manipulation. Results Herein, we recognized 87 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in 45 genomic regions for the concentrations of oil, oleic acid, and linoleic acid, as well as the oleic acid to linoleic acid (O/L) ratio via a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 499 peanut accessions. Eight QTLs explained more than 15% of the phenotypic variation in peanut accessions. Among the 45 potential genes significantly related to the four traits, only three genes displayed annotation to the fatty acid pathway. Furthermore, on the basis of pleiotropism or linkage data belonging to the identified singular QTLs, we generated a trait-locus axis to better elucidate the genetic background behind the observed oil and fatty acid concentration association. Expression analysis indicated that arahy.AV6GAN and arahy.NNA8KD have higher expressions in the seeds. Conclusion This natural population consisting of 499 peanut accessions combined with high-density SNPs will provide a better choice for identifying peanut QTLs/genes in the future. Together, our results provide strong evidence for the genetic mechanism behind oil biosynthesis in peanut, facilitating future advances in multiple fatty acid component generation via pyramiding of desirable QTLs.
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spelling doaj-art-e23aae4c92c9453186689fb1946c6e492025-08-20T03:10:14ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-05-0125111810.1186/s12870-025-06690-9Genome-wide association analysis in peanut accessions uncovers the genetic basis regulating oil and fatty acid variationJing Xu0Xiao Jiang1Xiangzhen Yin2Xuhong Zhao3Na Chen4Lijuan Pan5Chun Fu6Yanlin Jiao7Junqing Ma8Mei Yuan9Xiaoyuan Chi10Shandong Peanut Research InstituteShandong Peanut Research InstituteShandong Peanut Research InstituteShandong Peanut Research InstituteShandong Peanut Research InstituteShandong Peanut Research InstituteWeifang Academy of Agricultural SciencesYantai Academy of Agricultural SciencesShandong Peanut Research InstituteShandong Peanut Research InstituteShandong Peanut Research InstituteAbstract Background The cultivated peanut, Arachis hypogaea L., is a critical oil and food crop worldwide. Improving seed oil quality in peanut has long been an aim of breeders. However, our knowledge of the genetic basis of selecting for seed nutritional traits is limited. Based on AhFAD2A and AhFAD2B, scientists have now developed higher oleic acid (80–84%) in peanut. Decoding the genetic makeup behind natural variation in kernel oil and fatty acid concentrations is crucial for molecular breeding-based nutrient quantity and quality manipulation. Results Herein, we recognized 87 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in 45 genomic regions for the concentrations of oil, oleic acid, and linoleic acid, as well as the oleic acid to linoleic acid (O/L) ratio via a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 499 peanut accessions. Eight QTLs explained more than 15% of the phenotypic variation in peanut accessions. Among the 45 potential genes significantly related to the four traits, only three genes displayed annotation to the fatty acid pathway. Furthermore, on the basis of pleiotropism or linkage data belonging to the identified singular QTLs, we generated a trait-locus axis to better elucidate the genetic background behind the observed oil and fatty acid concentration association. Expression analysis indicated that arahy.AV6GAN and arahy.NNA8KD have higher expressions in the seeds. Conclusion This natural population consisting of 499 peanut accessions combined with high-density SNPs will provide a better choice for identifying peanut QTLs/genes in the future. Together, our results provide strong evidence for the genetic mechanism behind oil biosynthesis in peanut, facilitating future advances in multiple fatty acid component generation via pyramiding of desirable QTLs.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06690-9PeanutGWASOilFatty acidGenetic basis
spellingShingle Jing Xu
Xiao Jiang
Xiangzhen Yin
Xuhong Zhao
Na Chen
Lijuan Pan
Chun Fu
Yanlin Jiao
Junqing Ma
Mei Yuan
Xiaoyuan Chi
Genome-wide association analysis in peanut accessions uncovers the genetic basis regulating oil and fatty acid variation
BMC Plant Biology
Peanut
GWAS
Oil
Fatty acid
Genetic basis
title Genome-wide association analysis in peanut accessions uncovers the genetic basis regulating oil and fatty acid variation
title_full Genome-wide association analysis in peanut accessions uncovers the genetic basis regulating oil and fatty acid variation
title_fullStr Genome-wide association analysis in peanut accessions uncovers the genetic basis regulating oil and fatty acid variation
title_full_unstemmed Genome-wide association analysis in peanut accessions uncovers the genetic basis regulating oil and fatty acid variation
title_short Genome-wide association analysis in peanut accessions uncovers the genetic basis regulating oil and fatty acid variation
title_sort genome wide association analysis in peanut accessions uncovers the genetic basis regulating oil and fatty acid variation
topic Peanut
GWAS
Oil
Fatty acid
Genetic basis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06690-9
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