Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41714954›Full record

ArticleBMC plant biology2026

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) and transcriptome analysis reveal new candidate genes for leaf size in alfalfa.

Yue Zhang, Xu Li, Xiaoying Kang, Yaling Liu, Xiangxue Duan, Hongli Xie, Yue Sun, Qinyi Ye, Maofeng Chai, Zeng-Yu Wang

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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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10 authors.

Yue Zhang *Shandong Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation of Saline-Alkaline Tolerant Grasses and Trees, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
Xu Li *Shandong Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation of Saline-Alkaline Tolerant Grasses and Trees, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
Xiaoying Kang *Shandong Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation of Saline-Alkaline Tolerant Grasses and Trees, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
Yaling LiuInner Mongolia Mengcao Seed Industry Science & Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd, Hohhot, China.
Xiangxue DuanShandong Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation of Saline-Alkaline Tolerant Grasses and Trees, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
Hongli XieShandong Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation of Saline-Alkaline Tolerant Grasses and Trees, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
Yue SunShandong Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation of Saline-Alkaline Tolerant Grasses and Trees, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
Qinyi YeCollege of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China. yeqinyi@cau.edu.cn.
Maofeng ChaiShandong Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation of Saline-Alkaline Tolerant Grasses and Trees, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China. mfchai@qau.edu.cn.
Zeng-Yu WangShandong Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation of Saline-Alkaline Tolerant Grasses and Trees, College of Grassland Science, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.

Funding

Hohhot Key R&D Project 2023-JBGS-S-1Key research and development program of Inner Mongolia 2023YFHH0037National Center of Pratacultural Technology Innovation (under way) Special fund for innovation plantform construction CCPTZX2023B01Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province ZR2023QC143
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLeaves are the most important organs of plants and serve as the primary harvest parts in alfalfa production. The size of the leaf area is a crucial factor influencing forage yield and quality. Therefore, elucidating the genetic factors governing leaf development is critical for breeding new alfalfa varieties with improved yield and quality.

resultsIn this study, through genome-wide association study (GWAS), we examined SNPs significantly associated with the area (LA), length (LL), width (LW), and aspect ratio (L/W) of mature alfalfa leaves. Two SNPs on chromosome 2 and chromosome 8 were found to be associated with multiple leaf size traits, and 246 genes were located within 20 kb flanking regions. Transcriptome sequencing was utilized to identify 1119 differentially expressed genes in Xinjiang Daye and Nei 1 Nei 2 leaves at various developmental stages. By collectively analyzing the transcriptome and conducting GWAS, nine candidate genes were identified as being related to leaf size regulation, including GRF-interacting factor and some transcription factors.

conclusionsThis study provides new candidate genes for leaf size regulation and lays the foundation for breeding efforts to improve forage quality and yield.

Indexed as

Genes, PlantMedicago sativaPlant LeavesTranscriptomeGene Expression ProfilingGene Expression Regulation, PlantGenome-Wide Association StudyPhenotypePolymorphism, Single NucleotideGenome-wide association studyLeaf sizeMedicago sativa LRNA-seq

Identifiers

PMID41714954
PMCPMC12947334

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