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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Aberdeen, Idaho » Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #373842
Research Project: Improvement of Barley and Oat for Enhanced Productivity, Quality, and Stress Resistance

Location: Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research

Title: Genome-wide association for B-glucan content, population structure, and linkage disequilibrium in elite oat germplasm adapted to subtropical environments

Author
item ZIMMER, CRISTIANO - Federal University Of Rio Grande Do Sul
item MCNISH, IAN - University Of Minnesota
item Esvelt Klos, Kathy
item ORO, TATIANA - University Of Passo Fundo
item ARRUDA, KLEVER - Agronomic Institute Of Paraná (IAPAR)
item GUTKOSKI, LUIZ - University Of Passo Fundo
item PACHECO, MARCELO - Federal University Of Rio Grande Do Sul
item SMITH, KEVIN - University Of Minnesota
item FEDERIZZI, LUIZ - Federal University Of Rio Grande Do Sul

Submitted to: Molecular Breeding
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/19/2020
Publication Date: 11/2/2020
Citation: Zimmer, C.M., McNish, I.G., Esvelt Klos, K.L., Oro, T., Arruda, K.M., Gutkoski, L.C., Pacheco, M.T., Smith, K.P., Federizzi, L.C. 2020. Genome-wide association for B-glucan content, population structure, and linkage disequilibrium in elite oat germplasm adapted to subtropical environments. Molecular Breeding. 40. Article 103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-020-01182-0.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-020-01182-0

Interpretive Summary: The genetic control of the dietary fiber beta-glucan in oat seed is not fully understood. This project used a newly developed panel comprised of oat lines used in subtropical growing areas to investigate the genetics of oat beta-glucan. Using genome-wide association analysis, seven genomic regions influencing this trait were found. This information will be useful to breeders seeking to develop improved oat varieties for subtropical agriculture.

Technical Abstract: High ß-glucan content is one of the main goals of oat breeding programs worldwide. However, the genomic regions and genes controlling ß-glucan content in oats are not fully understood. In this sense, the objectives of this study were as follows: (i) to characterize structure and linkage disequilibrium (LD) in a panel of oat germplasm adapted to subtropical environments; and (ii) to identify genomic regions associated with oat ß-glucan content. An oat panel with 413 genotypes was evaluated for ß-glucan content under subtropical conditions in different years and genotyped using genotyping-by-sequencing. Population structure, LD, and genome-wide association (GWA) analyses were carried out. GWA mapping was performed for each year separately and in a multi-environment model. The UFRGS Oat Panel showed weak population structure and has great potential to elucidate many agronomic traits in subtropical environments. Seven quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with ß-glucan content were identified. These QTL are located on Mrg02, Mrg06, Mrg11, Mrg12, Mrg19, and Mrg20. The QTL located on Mrg02, Mrg06, and Mrg11 seem to be genomic regions syntenic with barley. The use of these QTL may be useful to accelerate the genetic progress of oat ß-glucan content in subtropical environments.