Identification of candidate genes for male sterility in globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) using Bulk Segregant Analysis coupled with whole-genome sequencing (BSA-seq)

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus; 2n=2x= 34) is a food crop consumed for its immature flower heads. Traditionally, globe artichoke varietal types are vegetatively propagated. However, seed propagation makes it possible to treat the crop as annual, increasing field uniformity and reducing the farmers costs, as well as pathogens diffusion. By exploiting male sterile (MS) genotypes, a number of F1 hybrids have already been successfully introduced in cultivation, but the genetic bases of this trait have been to date poorly explored. An F2 population of 250 offsprings, derived from a cross between a MS globe artichoke and a male fertile (MF) cultivated cardoon (C. cardunculus var. altilis) and fitting a monogenic segregation model (3:1), was analyzed through BSA-seq, aiming at the identification of genomic regions/genes affecting male sterility.