A meta-QTL analysis highlights genomic hotspots associated with phosphorus use efficiency in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) is a complex trait, governed by many minor quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with small effects. Advances in molecular marker technology have led to the identification of QTLs underlying PUE. However, their practical use in breeding programs remains challenging due to the unstable effects in different genetic backgrounds and environments, interaction with soil status, and linkage drag. Here, we compiled PUE QTL information from 16 independent studies. A total of 192 QTLs were subjected to meta-QTL (MQTL) analysis and were projected into a high-density SNP consensus map. A total of 60 MQTLs, with significantly reduced number of initial QTLs and confidence intervals (CI), were identified across the rice genome. Candidate gene (CG) mining was carried out for the 38 MQTLs supported by multiple QTLs from at least two independent studies. Genes related to amino and organic acid transport and auxin response were found to be abundant in the MQTLs linked to PUE. CGs were cross validated using a root transcriptome database (RiceXPro) and haplotype analysis. This led to the identification of the eight CGs (OsARF8, OsSPX-MFS3, OsRING141, OsMIOX, HsfC2b, OsFER2, OsWRKY64, and OsYUCCA11) modulating PUE. Potential donors for superior PUE CG haplotypes were identified through haplotype analysis. The distribution of superior haplotypes varied among subspecies being mostly found in indica but were largely scarce in japonica. Our study offers an insight on the complex genetic networks that modulate PUE in rice. The MQTLs, CGs, and superior CG haplotypes identified in our study are useful in the combination of beneficial alleles for PUE in rice.

Marker trait association for biological nitrogen fixation traits in an interspecific cross of chickpea (Cicer arietinum × Cicer reticulatum)

A set of 165 Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from an interspecific cross of chickpea was used to identify QTLs for key biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) traits. The phenotyping of BNF and related traits was done at two different agroclimatic zones viz., Central plain zone (Ludhiana) and Sub-Mountainous undulating zone (Gurdaspur) for 2 consecutive rabi seasons (2018-2020). Wild parent C. reticulatum ILWC292 showed significantly high performance in terms of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) traits over the cultivated C. arietinum GPF-2. The triple interaction of genotypes × locations × years was significant (p 0.05) for all BNF traits in parental lines. Highly significant positive correlation was obtained between grain yield and key growth and symbiotic parameters at both the sites. Phenotypic analysis revealed nodule dry weight and leghaemoglobin content as key traits for BNF efficiency and contrasting DNA bulks were constituted on the basis of these traits. Out of 535 SSR markers, 139 exhibited polymorphism between the parental lines on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A total of 30 SSR markers showed polymorphism between the higher and lower bulks for nodule dry weight and leghaemoglobin content. Out of these, 20 SSRs did not show any segregation distortion in RIL population as determined by chi square analysis (p < 0.05) and were used for quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. Using QTL cartographer, markers- CAGM02697, CAGM09835, CAGM09777, CAGM09227, CAGM09021, CAGM08679 were found linked with QTLs for BNF. These markers can be validated further for identification of genes for BNF traits and marker assisted selection in chickpea. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on identification of genomic regions associated with key BNF traits in chickpea across different agro-climatic zones.

Supplementary information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01335-3.

Detection of Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling the Content of Phenolic Compounds in an Asian Plum (Prunus salicina L.) F1 Population

Consumption of fresh fruit is known to protect against non-communicable diseases due to the fruit's content in compounds with an antioxidant capacity, among them is polyphenols. Asian plums (Prunus salicina L.) accumulate more than 40 phenolic compounds, with a remarkable diversity in their profiles, depending on the variety and environmental conditions. Although candidate genes have been indicated to control this trait, the loci controlling its phenotypic variation have not yet been defined in this species. The aim of this work was to identify the quantitative trait Loci (QTL) controlling the phenolic compounds content in the Asian plum skin and flesh. Using UHPLC-DAD-Orbitrap-MS, we determined that cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside are the main anthocyanins in Asian plums. Other anthocyanins found to a lesser extent were tentatively identified as cyanidin bound to different sugar and procyanidin moieties. Then we phenotyped fruits of 92 and 80 F1 seedlings from the cross < "98.99" × "Angeleno"> (98 Ang) for two harvest seasons. We used HPLC-DAD to quantify single anthocyanin and spectrophotometric techniques to determine the total content of phenols, flavonoids, procyanidins, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP). To determine the phenotype-genotype association of phenolic compounds content, phenotypic values (adjusted by linear mixed-effects models), genotypic data and linkage maps were analyzed with the multiple QTL model (MQM) approach. We found a total of 21 significant trait-marker associations: 13 QTLs segregating from "98.99" and 8 QTLs from "Angeleno." From these associations, 8 corresponded to phenolic compound content in the flesh and 13 in the skin. Phenotype variance was explained by the detected loci, ranging from 12.4 to 27.1%. The identified loci are related to the content of cyanidin-3-glucoside (LG4), cyanidin-3-rutinoside (LG4), total flavonoids and procyanidins (LG5 and LG8), and minor anthocyanin compounds (LG3 and LG4). These results will help improve the efficiency of breeding programs for the generation of Asian plum varieties with high phenolic compound content.

Genetic and genomic resources to study natural variation in Brassica rapa

The globally important crop Brassica rapa, a close relative of Arabidopsis, is an excellent system for modeling our current knowledge of plant growth on a morphologically diverse crop. The long history of B. rapa domestication across Asia and Europe provides a unique collection of locally adapted varieties that span large climatic regions with various abiotic and biotic stress-tolerance traits. This diverse gene pool provides a rich source of targets with the potential for manipulation toward the enhancement of productivity of crops both within and outside the Brassicaceae. To expand the genetic resources available to study natural variation in B. rapa, we constructed an Advanced Intercross Recombinant Inbred Line (AI-RIL) population using B. rapa subsp. trilocularis (Yellow Sarson) R500 and the B. rapa subsp. parachinensis (Cai Xin) variety L58. Our current understanding of genomic structure variation across crops suggests that a single reference genome is insufficient for capturing the genetic diversity within a species. To complement this AI-RIL population and current and future B. rapa genomic resources, we generated a de novo genome assembly of the B. rapa subsp. trilocularis (Yellow Sarson) variety R500, the maternal parent of the AI-RIL population. The genetic map for the R500 x L58 population generated using this de novo genome was used to map Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) for seed coat color and revealed the improved mapping resolution afforded by this new assembly.

A Novel Root-Knot Nematode Resistance QTL on Chromosome Vu01 in Cowpea

The root-knot nematode (RKN) species Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica cause substantial root system damage and suppress yield of susceptible cowpea cultivars. The narrow-based genetic resistance conferred by the Rk gene, present in some commercial cultivars, is not effective against Rk-virulent populations found in several cowpea production areas. The dynamics of virulence within RKN populations require a broadening of the genetic base of resistance in elite cowpea cultivars. As part of this goal, F1 and F2 populations from the cross CB46-Null (susceptible) x FN-2-9-04 (resistant) were phenotyped for M. javanica induced root-galling (RG) and egg-mass production (EM) in controlled growth chamber and greenhouse infection assays. In addition, F[Formula: see text] families of the same cross were phenotyped for RG on field sites infested with Rk-avirulent M. incognita and M. javanica The response of F1 to RG and EM indicated that resistance to RKN in FN-2-9-04 is partially dominant, as supported by the degree of dominance in the F2 and F[Formula: see text] populations. Two QTL associated with both RG and EM resistance were detected on chromosomes Vu01 and Vu04. The QTL on Vu01 was most effective against aggressive M. javanica, whereas both QTL were effective against avirulent M. incognita Allelism tests with CB46 x FN-2-9-04 progeny indicated that these parents share the same RKN resistance locus on Vu04, but the strong, broad-based resistance in FN-2-9-04 is conferred by the additive effect of the novel resistance QTL on Vu01. This novel resistance in FN-2-9-04 is an important resource for broadening RKN resistance in elite cowpea cultivars.

Role of the Genetic Background in Resistance to Plant Viruses

In view of major economic problems caused by viruses, the development of genetically resistant crops is critical for breeders but remains limited by the evolution of resistance-breaking virus mutants. During the plant breeding process, the introgression of traits from Crop Wild Relatives results in a dramatic change of the genetic background that can alter the resistance efficiency or durability. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis on 19 Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) studies of resistance to viruses in plants. Frequent epistatic effects between resistance genes indicate that a large part of the resistance phenotype, conferred by a given QTL, depends on the genetic background. We next reviewed the different resistance mechanisms in plants to survey at which stage the genetic background could impact resistance or durability. We propose that the genetic background may impair effector-triggered dominant resistances at several stages by tinkering the NB-LRR (Nucleotide Binding-Leucine-Rich Repeats) response pathway. In contrast, effects on recessive resistances by loss-of-susceptibility-such as eIF4E-based resistances-are more likely to rely on gene redundancy among the multigene family of host susceptibility factors. Finally, we show how the genetic background is likely to shape the evolution of resistance-breaking isolates and propose how to take this into account in order to breed plants with increased resistance durability to viruses.

Natural rhizobial diversity helps to reveal genes and QTLs associated with biological nitrogen fixation in common bean

Common bean is one of the most important crops for human feed, and the most important legume for direct consumption by millions of people, especially in developing countries. It is a promiscuous host legume in terms of nodulation, able to associate with a broad and diverse range of rhizobia, although the competitiveness for nodulation and the nitrogen fixation capacity of most of these strains is generally low. As a result, common bean is very inefficient for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, and nitrogen has to be supplied with chemical fertilizers. In the last years, symbiotic nitrogen fixation has received increasing attention as a sustainable alternative to nitrogen fertilizers, and also as a more economic and available one in poor countries. Therefore, optimization of nitrogen fixation of bean-rhizobia symbioses and selection of efficient rhizobial strains should be a priority, which begins with the study of the natural diversity of the symbioses and the rhizobial populations associated. Natural rhizobia biodiversity that nodulates common bean may be a source of adaptive alleles acting through phenotypic plasticity. Crosses between accessions differing for nitrogen fixation may combine alleles that never meet in nature. Another way to discover adaptive genes is to use association genetics to identify loci that common bean plants use for enhanced biological nitrogen fixation and, in consequence, for marker assisted selection for genetic improvement of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. In this review, rhizobial biodiversity resources will be discussed, together with what is known about the loci that underlie such genetic variation, and the potential candidate genes that may influence the symbiosis' fitness benefits, thus achieving an optimal nitrogen fixation capacity in order to help reduce reliance on nitrogen fertilizers in common bean.

Genetic Variability in Adenosine Deaminase-Like Contributes to Variation in Alcohol Preference in Mice

BACKGROUND

A substantial part of the risk for alcohol use disorder is determined by genetic factors. We previously used chromosome substitution (CSS) mice, to identify a quantitative trait loci (QTL) for alcohol preference on mouse chromosome 2. The aim of this study was to identify candidate genes within this QTL that confer the risk for alcohol preference.

METHODS

In order to delineate the neurobiological underpinnings of alcohol consumption, we expanded on the QTL approach to identify candidate genes for high alcohol preference in mice. We narrowed down a QTL for alcohol preference on mouse chromosome 2, that we previously identified using CSS mice, to 4 candidate genes in silico. Expression levels of these candidate genes in prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens-brain regions implicated in reward and addiction-were subsequently compared for the CSS-2 and the C57BL/6J host strain.

RESULTS

We observed increased expression of adenosine deaminase-like (Adal) in all 3 regions in CSS-2 mice. Moreover, we found that the adenosine deaminase inhibitor EHNA reduced the difference in alcohol preference between CSS-2 and C57BL/6J mice.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identifies Adal as a genetically protective factor against alcohol consumption in mice, in which elevated Adal levels contribute to low alcohol preference.

Quantitative Trait Loci and Antagonistic Associations for Two Developmentally Related Traits in the Drosophila Head

In insects, some developmentally related traits are negatively correlated. Here, we mapped Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) for traits of eye size and head capsule, in an intercontinental set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of Drosophila melanogaster Composite interval mapping identified QTL on all major chromosomes. Two negatively correlated traits (size of eyes and between-eyes distance) were influenced by one QTL that appeared to be antagonistic between the traits (QTL cytological range is 25F5-30A6), consistent with a negative genetic correlation between these traits of the head capsule. Comparisons of QTL across traits indicated a nonrandom distribution over the genome, with a considerable overlap between some QTL across traits. Developmentally-related traits were influenced by QTL in a pattern that is consistent both with 1) the sign of the genetic correlation between the traits and 2) a constraint in the micro-evolutionary differentiation in the traits.

Whole genome sequence analysis of the TALLYHO/Jng mouse

Background

The TALLYHO/Jng (TH) mouse is a polygenic model for obesity and type 2 diabetes first described in the literature in 2001. The origin of the TH strain is an outbred colony of the Theiler Original strain and mice derived from this source were selectively bred for male hyperglycemia establishing an inbred strain at The Jackson Laboratory. TH mice manifest many of the disease phenotypes observed in human obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Results

We sequenced the whole genome of TH mice maintained at Marshall University to a depth of approximately 64.8X coverage using data from three next generation sequencing runs. Genome-wide, we found approximately 4.31 million homozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 1.10 million homozygous small insertions and deletions (indels) of which 98,899 SNPs and 163,720 indels were unique to the TH strain compared to 28 previously sequenced inbred mouse strains. In order to identify potentially clinically-relevant genes, we intersected our list of SNP and indel variants with human orthologous genes in which variants were associated in GWAS studies with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, and with genes previously shown to confer a monogenic obesity phenotype in humans, and found several candidate variants that could be functionally tested using TH mice. Further, we filtered our list of variants to those occurring in an obesity quantitative trait locus, tabw2, identified in TH mice and found a missense polymorphism in the Cidec gene and characterized this variant’s effect on protein function.

Conclusions

We generated a complete catalog of variants in TH mice using the data from whole genome sequencing. Our findings will facilitate the identification of causal variants that underlie metabolic diseases in TH mice and will enable identification of candidate susceptibility genes for complex human obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3245-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Genetic Mapping of Anaerobic Germination-Associated QTLs Controlling Coleoptile Elongation in Rice

BACKGROUND

Increasing numbers of rice farmers are adopting direct-seeding methods to save on costs associated with labor and transplanting. Successful seedling establishment in flooded conditions requires rapid coleoptile growth to ensure access to oxygen near the water surface. It is important that the natural variations in coleoptile growth of submerged rice plants are identified.

RESULTS

Coleoptile responses of submerged plants at the germination stage were analyzed in diverse rice accessions and recombinant inbred lines. Several genomic regions identified from a genome-wide association analysis were significantly associated with anaerobic germination, with many that corresponded to published quantitative trait locus (QTL) intervals. In the recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between japonica and indica varieties, only one unique and strong signal explaining about 27 % of the phenotypic variation was detected. Distinct haplotypes associated with variations in coleoptile length were identified in diverse germplasm.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated the value of combining genome-wide association analysis and biparental QTL mapping approaches to identify chromosomal regions regulating coleoptile elongation in submerged rice plants. The significant genomic regions detected in this study are potential candidates for incorporation into elite cultivars to improve seedling survival during anaerobic germination. Future studies that map the QTLs and investigate the effects and functions of candidate genes may lead to new rice varieties that can be used in direct-seeding systems.

A Genome-wide Scan for Selective Sweeps in Racing Horses

Using next-generation sequencing, we conducted a genome-wide scan of selective sweeps associated with selection toward genetic improvement in Thoroughbreds. We investigated potential phenotypic consequence of putative candidate loci by candidate gene association mapping for the finishing time in 240 Thoroughbred horses. We found a significant association with the trait for Ral GApase alpha 2 (RALGAP2) that regulates a variety of cellular processes of signal trafficking. Neighboring genes around RALGAP2 included insulinoma-associated 1 (INSM1), pallid (PLDN), and Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2) genes have similar roles in signal trafficking, suggesting that a co-evolving gene cluster located on the chromosome 22 is under strong artificial selection in racehorses.

Genome-wide Association Study to Identify Quantitative Trait Loci for Meat and Carcass Quality Traits in Berkshire

Meat and carcass quality attributes are of crucial importance influencing consumer preference and profitability in the pork industry. A set of 400 Berkshire pigs were collected from Dasan breeding farm, Namwon, Chonbuk province, Korea that were born between 2012 and 2013. To perform genome wide association studies (GWAS), eleven meat and carcass quality traits were considered, including carcass weight, backfat thickness, pH value after 24 hours (pH24), Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage lightness in meat color (CIE L), redness in meat color (CIE a), yellowness in meat color (CIE b), filtering, drip loss, heat loss, shear force and marbling score. All of the 400 animals were genotyped with the Porcine 62K SNP BeadChips (Illumina Inc., USA). A SAS general linear model procedure (SAS version 9.2) was used to pre-adjust the animal phenotypes before GWAS with sire and sex effects as fixed effects and slaughter age as a covariate. After fitting the fixed and covariate factors in the model, the residuals of the phenotype regressed on additive effects of each single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) under a linear regression model (PLINK version 1.07). The significant SNPs after permutation testing at a chromosome-wise level were subjected to stepwise regression analysis to determine the best set of SNP markers. A total of 55 significant (p<0.05) SNPs or quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected on various chromosomes. The QTLs explained from 5.06% to 8.28% of the total phenotypic variation of the traits. Some QTLs with pleiotropic effect were also identified. A pair of significant QTL for pH24 was also found to affect both CIE L and drip loss percentage. The significant QTL after characterization of the functional candidate genes on the QTL or around the QTL region may be effectively and efficiently used in marker assisted selection to achieve enhanced genetic improvement of the trait considered.

Multiple Linkage Disequilibrium Mapping Methods to Validate Additive Quantitative Trait Loci in Korean Native Cattle (Hanwoo)

The efficiency of genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) depends on power of detection for quantitative trait loci (QTL) and precision for QTL mapping. In this study, three different strategies for GWAS were applied to detect QTL for carcass quality traits in the Korean cattle, Hanwoo; a linkage disequilibrium single locus regression method (LDRM), a combined linkage and linkage disequilibrium analysis (LDLA) and a BayesCπ approach. The phenotypes of 486 steers were collected for weaning weight (WWT), yearling weight (YWT), carcass weight (CWT), backfat thickness (BFT), longissimus dorsi muscle area, and marbling score (Marb). Also the genotype data for the steers and their sires were scored with the Illumina bovine 50K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips. For the two former GWAS methods, threshold values were set at false discovery rate <0.01 on a chromosome-wide level, while a cut-off threshold value was set in the latter model, such that the top five windows, each of which comprised 10 adjacent SNPs, were chosen with significant variation for the phenotype. Four major additive QTL from these three methods had high concordance found in 64.1 to 64.9Mb for Bos taurus autosome (BTA) 7 for WWT, 24.3 to 25.4Mb for BTA14 for CWT, 0.5 to 1.5Mb for BTA6 for BFT and 26.3 to 33.4Mb for BTA29 for BFT. Several candidate genes (i.e. glutamate receptor, ionotropic, ampa 1 [GRIA1], family with sequence similarity 110, member B [FAM110B], and thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box [TOX]) may be identified close to these QTL. Our result suggests that the use of different linkage disequilibrium mapping approaches can provide more reliable chromosome regions to further pinpoint DNA makers or causative genes in these regions.

Detection of quantitative trait Loci affecting fat deposition traits in pigs

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with fat deposition traits in pigs are important gene positions in a chromosome that influence meat quality of pork. For QTL study, a three generation resource population was constructed from a cross between Korean native boars and Landrace sows. A total of 240 F2 animals from intercross of F1 were produced. 80 microsatellite markers covering chromosomes 1 to 10 were selected to genotype the resource population. Intervals between adjacent markers were approximately 19 cM. Linkage analysis was performed using CRIMAP software version 2.4 with a FIXED option to obtain the map distances. For QTL analysis, the public web-based software, QTL express (http://www.qtl.cap.ed.ac.uk) was used. Two significant and two suggestive QTL were identified on SSC 6, 7, and 8 as affecting body fat and IMF traits. For QTL affecting IMF, the most significant association was detected between marker sw71 and sw1881 on SSC 6, and a suggestive QTL was identified between sw268 and sw205 on SSC8. These QTL accounted for 26.58% and 12.31% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. A significant QTL affecting IMF was detected at position 105 cM between markers sw71 and sw1881 on SSC 6.

Is the alcohol deprivation effect genetically mediated? Studies with HXB/BXH recombinant inbred rat strains

BACKGROUND

Two features of alcohol addiction that have been widely studied in animal models are relapse drinking following periods of alcohol abstinence and the escalation of alcohol consumption after chronic continuous or intermittent alcohol exposure. The genetic contribution to these phenotypes has not been systematically investigated.

METHODS

HXB/BXH recombinant inbred (RI) rat strains were given access to alcohol sequentially as follows: alcohol (10%) as the only fluid for 1 week; alcohol (10%) and water in a 2-bottle choice paradigm for 7 weeks ("pre-alcohol deprivation effect [ADE] alcohol consumption"); 2 weeks of access to water only (alcohol deprivation); and 2 weeks of reaccess to 10% alcohol and water ("post-ADE alcohol consumption"). The periods of deprivation and reaccess to alcohol were repeated 3 times. The ADE was defined as the amount of alcohol consumed in the first 24 hours after deprivation minus the average daily amount of alcohol consumed in the week prior to deprivation. Heritability of the phenotypes was determined by analysis of variance, and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified.

RESULTS

All strains showed increased alcohol consumption, compared to the predeprivation period, in the first 24 hours after each deprivation (ADE). Broad-sense heritability of the ADEs was low (ADE1, 9.1%; ADE2, 26.2%; ADE3, 16.3%). Alcohol consumption levels were relatively stable over weeks 2 to 7. Post-ADE alcohol consumption levels consistently increased in some strains and were decreased or unchanged in others. Heritability of pre- and post-ADE alcohol consumption was high and increased over time (week 2, 38.5%; week 7, 51.1%; week 11, 56.8%; week 15, 63.3%). QTLs for pre- and post-ADE alcohol consumption were similar, but the strength of the QTL association with the phenotype decreased over time.

CONCLUSIONS

In the HXB/BXH RI rat strains, genotypic variance does not account for a large proportion of phenotypic variance in the ADE phenotype (low heritability), suggesting a role of environmental factors. In contrast, a large proportion of the variance across the RI strains in pre- and post-ADE alcohol consumption is due to genetically determined variance (high heritability).

Identification of quantitative trait locus (QTL) linked to dorsal fin length from preliminary linkage map of molly fish, Poecilia sp

A preliminary linkage map was constructed by applying backcross and testcross strategy using microsatellite (SSR) markers developed for Xiphophorus and Poecilia reticulata in ornamental fish, molly Poecilia sp. The linkage map having 18 SSR loci consisted of four linkage groups that spanned a map size of 516.1cM. Association between genotypes and phenotypes was tested in a random fashion and QTL for dorsal fin length was found to be linked to locus Msb069 on linkage group 2. Coincidentally, locus Msb069 was also reported as putative homologue primer pairs containing SSRs repeat motif which encoded hSMP-1, a sex determining locus. Dorsal fin length particularly in males of Poecilia latipinna is an important feature during courtship display. Therefore, we speculate that both dorsal fin length and putative hSMP-1 gene formed a close proximity to male sexual characteristics.

Genomic and environmental selection patterns in two distinct lettuce crop-wild hybrid crosses

Genomic selection patterns and hybrid performance influence the chance that crop (trans)genes can spread to wild relatives. We measured fitness(-related) traits in two different field environments employing two different crop–wild crosses of lettuce. We performed quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses and estimated the fitness distribution of early- and late-generation hybrids. We detected consistent results across field sites and crosses for a fitness QTL at linkage group 7, where a selective advantage was conferred by the wild allele. Two fitness QTL were detected on linkage group 5 and 6, which were unique to one of the crop–wild crosses. Average hybrid fitness was lower than the fitness of the wild parent, but several hybrid lineages outperformed the wild parent, especially in a novel habitat for the wild type. In early-generation hybrids, this may partly be due to heterosis effects, whereas in late-generation hybrids transgressive segregation played a major role. The study of genomic selection patterns can identify crop genomic regions under negative selection across multiple environments and cultivar–wild crosses that might be applicable in transgene mitigation strategies. At the same time, results were cultivar-specific, so that a case-by-case environmental risk assessment is still necessary, decreasing its general applicability.

Evaluation of BTA1 and BTA5 QTL Regions for Growth and Carcass Traits in American and Korean Cattle

Previously identified QTL regions on BTA1 and BTA5 were investigated to validate the QTL regions and to identify candidate genes for growth and carcass traits in commercial cattle populations from the USA and Korea. Initially, a total of 8 polymorphic microsatellite (MS) markers in the BTA1 and 5 QTL regions were used for Chi-square tests to compare the frequencies of individual alleles between high and low phenotypic groups for the US (Michigan Cattleman’s Association/Michigan State University; MCA/MSU) cattle. For a subsequent study, 24 candidate genes containing missense mutations and located within the QTL regions based on bovine genome sequence data were analyzed for genotyping in the two commercial cattle populations. Re-sequencing analyses confirmed 18 public missense SNPs and identified 9 new SNPs. Seventeen of these SNPs were used for genotyping of the MCA/MSU cattle (n = 98) and Korean native cattle (n = 323). On BTA1, UPK1B, HRG, and MAGEF1 polymorphisms residing between BM1312 and BMS4048 were significantly associated with growth and carcass traits in one or both of the MCA/MSU and Korean populations. On BTA5, ABCD2, IL22 and SNRPF polymorphisms residing between BL4 and BR2936 were associated with marbling and backfat traits in one or both of the MCA/MSU and Korean cattle populations. These results suggested that BTA 1 and 5 QTL regions may be segregating in both Korean Hanwoo and USA commercial cattle populations and DNA markers tested in this study may contribute to the identification of positional candidate genes for marker-assisted selection programs.