Verticillium wilt, caused by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae, is a major threat to eggplant production, leading to significant economic losses. This study utilized the QTL-Seq approach to identify Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) associated with resistance. By crossing a previously identified partially resistant parent (Solanum melongena, plant introduction No. 120770, College of Agriculture Experiment Station, Georgia, USA) with a susceptible one (cv. Florida Market), F1 and F2 populations were generated and phenotyped for resistance in a pot experiment under artificial inoculation conditions. DNA from F2 plants with extreme phenotypes (partially resistant and susceptible, 20 plants each) was pooled in equimolar ratios into two bulks and subjected to whole-genome sequencing, along with the susceptible parent. The analysis of the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) index revealed a candidate major QTL on chromosome 2 linked to resistance, which is useful for further validation. Other QTL on chromosomes 6 and 12 also warrant further investigation. Our research confirmed the efficacy of QTL-Seq in eggplant as a rapid tool that lays the groundwork for the next step of identifying molecular markers suitable for marker-assisted breeding programs.
Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) linked to Verticillium wilt resistance in eggplant through a QTL-Seq approach
Prigigallo, Maria IsabellaPrimo
;Pirra Sara;Bubici Giovanni
Ultimo
2026
Abstract
Verticillium wilt, caused by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae, is a major threat to eggplant production, leading to significant economic losses. This study utilized the QTL-Seq approach to identify Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) associated with resistance. By crossing a previously identified partially resistant parent (Solanum melongena, plant introduction No. 120770, College of Agriculture Experiment Station, Georgia, USA) with a susceptible one (cv. Florida Market), F1 and F2 populations were generated and phenotyped for resistance in a pot experiment under artificial inoculation conditions. DNA from F2 plants with extreme phenotypes (partially resistant and susceptible, 20 plants each) was pooled in equimolar ratios into two bulks and subjected to whole-genome sequencing, along with the susceptible parent. The analysis of the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) index revealed a candidate major QTL on chromosome 2 linked to resistance, which is useful for further validation. Other QTL on chromosomes 6 and 12 also warrant further investigation. Our research confirmed the efficacy of QTL-Seq in eggplant as a rapid tool that lays the groundwork for the next step of identifying molecular markers suitable for marker-assisted breeding programs.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
