Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41588332›Full record

ArticleBMC plant biology2026

Detection of QTLs and QTL-environment interactions for fruit branch number in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) using a restricted two-stage multi-locus genome-wide association study.

Ni-Jiang Ai, Xiao-Yun Tang, Guo-Li Feng, Rui-Xi Zhang, Ruo-Yu Zhang, Nu-Nu Sun, Zhi-Hong Zheng, Ning-Shan Wang, Cheng-Qi Li

Abstract read
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Article in BMC plant biology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Ni-Jiang Ai *Shihezi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832000, China.
Xiao-Yun Tang *Shihezi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832000, China.
Guo-Li FengShihezi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832000, China.
Rui-Xi ZhangLife Science College, Yuncheng University, Yuncheng, Shanxi, 044000, China.
Ruo-Yu ZhangLife Science College, Yuncheng University, Yuncheng, Shanxi, 044000, China.
Nu-Nu SunLife Science College, Yuncheng University, Yuncheng, Shanxi, 044000, China.
Zhi-Hong ZhengShihezi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832000, China.
Ning-Shan WangShihezi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832000, China.
Cheng-Qi LiLife Science College, Yuncheng University, Yuncheng, Shanxi, 044000, China. lichq2010@126.com.

Funding

the Key R&D Program of XPCC 2021AB010the Shanxi Provincial Basic Research Program 202503021211226the XPCC Natural Science Foundation 2025DA004the XPCC Science and Technology Program 2024DA003
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFruit branch number (FBN) is an important architectural trait of Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). In this study, FBN was investigated in 340 Upland cotton accessions across five environments. The restricted two-stage multi-locus genome-wide association study was employed for the first time to dissect the genetic architecture of FBN.

resultsA total of 37,010 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphism markers (SNPs) were used to generate 6,749 single-SNP and 6,151 multi-SNP linkage disequilibrium block markers. A total of 78 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for FBN were detected, with four QTLs consistently detected across different environments. Three QTLs, qFBN-A13, qFBN-D03-2, and qFBN-D06, were further validated through single-marker/haplotype analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis for genes near the three QTLs revealed that 22 significantly enriched terms (34 underlying genes), including “regulation of DNA-templated transcription,” “oxygen binding,” and “heme binding.” RNA-seq analysis further revealed that seven genes (GH_A13G1575, GH_D03G1306, GH_D03G1319, GH_D06G0408, GH_D06G0424, GH_D06G0436, and GH_D06G0442) exhibited high expression levels in stem tissue, suggesting their potential roles in fruit branch formation. Additionally, 18 QTL-by-environment interactions (QEIs) were detected, with five QEIs validated by analyzing phenotypic differences among genotypes across various environments. The GO enrichment analysis of genes near these five QEIs identified 22 significantly enriched terms (28 underlying genes), including “oxidoreductase activity, acting on metal ions,” “copper ion binding,” and “protein neddylation.” Five genes (GH_A06G1857, GH_A06G1859, GH_A06G1884, GH_D07G0658, and GH_D09G1041) showed high expression levels in the stem, indicating their potential involvement in fruit branch formation through gene–environment interactions.

conclusionIn total, 12,905 SNPLDB markers were constructed from 37,010 high-quality SNPs. A total of 78 QTLs and 18 QEIs were detected. Three stable QTLs for FBN were validated through single-marker/haplotype analysis. Five QEIs for FBN were validated through phenotypic difference analysis. Seven QTL-related genes and five QEI-related genes may contribute to FBN.

Indexed as

FruitGene-Environment InteractionGossypiumQuantitative Trait LociChromosome MappingGenome-Wide Association StudyLinkage DisequilibriumPhenotypePolymorphism, Single NucleotideCandidate genesFruit branch numberRestricted two-stage multi-locus genome-wide association studySNP linkage disequilibrium blockUpland cotton

Identifiers

PMID41588332
PMCPMC12918425

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.