Genome-wide association analysis to identify candidate genes for growth rate traits in Chinese endemic geese

China has abundant resources of local goose breeds with significant differences in growth rates among breeds. These differences provide natural genetic materials for exploring key functional genes and molecular markers of growth traits. The genetic loci related to growth rate are important economic traits that affect slaughter weight and feeding costs. In view of this, we used genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) method to determine the genes related to growth rate.