Whole genome sequencing of a MAGIC population identified genomic loci and candidate genes for major fiber quality traits in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Authors: Thyssen, Gregory; Jenkins, Johnie; McCarty, Jack; Zeng, Linghe; Campbell, Benjamin - Todd; Delhom, Christopher; Islam, Md; Li, Ping; JONES, DON - Cotton, Inc; Condon, Brian; Fang, David

Submitted to: Journal of Theoretical and Applied Genetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/27/2018
Publication Date: 12/1/2018
Citation: Thyssen, G.N., Jenkins, J.N., McCarty, J.C., Zeng, L., Campbell, B.T., Delhom, C.D., Islam, M.S., Li, P., Jones, D.C., Condon, B.D., Fang, D.D. 2018. Whole genome sequencing of a MAGIC population identified genomic loci and candidate genes for major fiber quality traits in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Journal of Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 132:989-999. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-018-3254-8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-018-3254-8

Interpretive Summary: Cotton is the world’s major renewable source of fibers for textiles. To improve cotton fiber quality through a marker-assisted selection approach requires identification of genetic loci controlling fiber quality traits. In this research, the 550 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a multi-parent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population were whole genome sequenced at 3× coverage, along with their eleven parental cultivars at 20× coverage. The MAGIC population was planted in 12 environments to obtain fiber quality measurements. The segregation of 473,517 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this population, including 7,506 non-synonymous mutations, was combined with phenotypic data to identify seven highly significant fiber quality loci. At these loci, we found fourteen genes with non-synonymous SNPs. Among these loci, some had simple additive effects, while others were only important in a subset of the population. We observed additive effects for elongation and micronaire, when the three most significant loci for each trait were examined. In an informative subset where the major multi-trait locus on chromosome A07:72-Mb was fixed, we unmasked the identity of another significant fiber strength locus in gene Gh_D13G1792 on chromosome D13. The micronaire phenotype only revealed one highly significant genetic locus at one environmental location, demonstrating a significant genetic by environment component. These loci and candidate causative variant alleles will be useful to cotton breeders for marker assisted selection with minimal linkage drag and potential biotechnological applications.

Technical Abstract: Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is the world’s major renewable source of fibers for textiles. To identify causative genetic variants that influence the major agronomic measures of cotton fiber quality, which are used to set discount or premium prices on each bale of cotton in the United States, we measured six fiber phenotypes from twelve environments, across three locations and seven years. Our 550 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were derived from a multi-parent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population and were whole genome sequenced at 3× coverage, along with the eleven parental cultivars at 20× coverage. The segregation of 473,517 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this population, including 7,506 non-synonymous mutations, was combined with phenotypic data to identify seven highly significant fiber quality loci. At these loci, we found fourteen genes with non-synonymous SNPs. Among these loci, some had simple additive effects, while others were only important in a subset of the population. We observed additive effects for elongation and micronaire, when the three most significant loci for each trait were examined. In an informative subset where the major multi-trait locus on chromosome A07:72-Mb was fixed, we unmasked the identity of another significant fiber strength locus in gene Gh_D13G1792 on chromosome D13. The micronaire phenotype only revealed one highly significant genetic locus at one environmental location, demonstrating a significant genetic by environment component. These loci and candidate causative variant alleles will be useful to cotton breeders for marker assisted selection with minimal linkage drag and potential biotechnological applications.