Integrated Genome-Wide Association and QTL Mapping Elucidate the Genetic Basis of Fruit Yield and Quality Traits in Pepper under Water Stress

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ID: 322988
2026
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Abstract
Water deficit is a major constraint on pepper (Capsicum annuum) yield, yet the genetic architecture of reproductive-stage drought tolerance remains poorly resolved. We phenotyped a Balkan C. annuum diversity panel (n = 133) and an interspecific backcross inbred line (BIL) population (n = 76) under well-watered (WW) and water-stress (WS) conditions. WS was applied from anthesis of the second truss as a stepwise reduction in irrigation volume relative to WW (30% for 7 days, then 60% thereafter), maintained for 90 days across the reproductive period. We assessed yield components, soluble solids, and stress-tolerance (STI) and stress-susceptibility (SSI) indices. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified 104 SNP-trait associations (P < 1×10-5), and QTL mapping detected 38 significant QTLs (1,000 permutations, α = 0.01), with the QTL intervals defined at LOD ≥ 8. Integrating GWAS and QTL mapping under WS revealed overlapping loci on chromosomes 5 and 6, harboring two consensus intergenic SNPs associated with yield components and soluble solids. Haplotype analysis linked chromosome 5 alleles to higher fruit number and soluble solids. At chromosome 6, the G allele at SNP 6_28348737 was enriched in tolerant lines for fruit number. These regions harbor candidate genes for reproductive development and stress response, including GREEN RIPE-LIKE1 (GRL1), CYP77A19, Endoglucanase-like, and FLOWERING PROMOTING FACTOR 1 (FPF1), possibly through cis-regulatory variation. Together, these results advance understanding of the genetic basis of pepper yield under drought and identify candidate breeding markers.
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Authors Avanish Rai, Emil Vatov, Alicja Wieteska Georgieva, Stefka Bogdanova, Michael F. Wittenberg, Nikolay Anachkov, Pasquale Tripodi, Velichka Todorova, İvanka Trıngovska, Daniela Ganeva, Veselin Petrov, Tsanko Gechev, Saleh Alseekh
Journal Journal of experimental botany
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/jxb/erag385
URL
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