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Identification of quantitative trait loci for dry-matter, starch, and β-carotene content in sweetpotato

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Abstract

Development of orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes (OFSP) is desired for the improvement of the food supply and nutritional status of millions of people in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. However, sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] breeding is challenging due to its genetic complexity, and marker-assisted breeding tools are needed to facilitate crop improvement. We identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) for dry-matter, starch, and β-carotene content in a hexaploid sweetpotato mapping population derived from a cross between Tanzania, a white-fleshed, high dry-matter African landrace, and Beauregard, an orange-fleshed, low dry-matter sweetpotato cultivar popular in the USA. Two parental maps were constructed using a population of 240 clones. Strong correlations were observed between starch and dry-matter content (r > 0.8, P < 0.0001) in the storage roots, while moderate correlations (r = –0.6, P < 0.0001) were observed for β-carotene and starch content. In both parental maps, QTL analysis revealed the presence of 13 QTL for storage root dry-matter content, 12 QTL for starch content, and 8 QTL for β-carotene content. Multiple QTL regression models developed for segregation of alleles in each parent explained 15–24% of the variation in dry-matter content, 17–30% of the starch content, and 17–35% of β-carotene content. To the best of our knowledge, this research presents the only QTL mapping study published to date for dry-matter, starch, and β-carotene content in sweetpotato. This work improves our understanding of the inheritance of these important traits in sweetpotato, and represents a first step toward the long-term goal of developing marker-assisted breeding tools to facilitate sweetpotato breeding efforts.

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Acknowledgments

This paper is a portion of a dissertation submitted by Jim C. Cervantes-Flores. The research reported in this publication was supported by funding provided by the McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crops Research Project, the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission, Inc., the Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research, and the GoldenLEAF Foundation. We thank Drs. Zhao-Bang Zeng, Jason Osborne and an unknown technical reviewer for their statistical advice, and Cindy Pierce, Jennifer Swift, Amanda Kroll, Christina Rowe for their assistance in the greenhouse and laboratory.

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Author notes

  1. J. C. Cervantes-Flores

    Present address: Vilmorin Inc., 2300 Technology Pkwy-Suite 4, Hollister, CA, 95023, USA

  2. R. O. M. Mwanga

    Present address: International Potato Center (CIP), Naguru Hill, Katalima Road, Plot 106, Box 22274, Kampala, Uganda

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    J. C. Cervantes-Flores, B. Sosinski, K. V. Pecota, M. R. Ulmer & G. C. Yencho

  2. Department of Agriculture, NARO, National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), P.O. Box 7084, Kampala, Uganda

    R. O. M. Mwanga

  3. Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    G. L. Catignani & R. H. Watkins

  4. USDA-ARS Food Science Research Unit, Department of Food Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    V. D. Truong

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  1. J. C. Cervantes-Flores
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Correspondence to G. C. Yencho.

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Cervantes-Flores, J.C., Sosinski, B., Pecota, K.V. et al. Identification of quantitative trait loci for dry-matter, starch, and β-carotene content in sweetpotato. Mol Breeding 28, 201–216 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-010-9474-5

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