Genome-wide association mapping of bast fibre quality traits in dark jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) using next-generation restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing

In dark jute (Corchorus olitorius L.), bast fibre quality traits, such as fibre fineness and tensile strength, are complex under polygenic control with low to medium heritability. The dark jute genome (ca. 300-400 Mb) is mostly uncharacterized, without the availability of a decoded draft genome sequence. The present study aims to discover a large number of SNPs and RAD markers (in this crop) by employing next-generation restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing, a reduced representation library strategy. These will be used for genome-wide association mapping of bast fibre quality and agronomic/ morphologic traits including bast fibre yield based on a structured association mapping panel that comprises a total of 225 accessions/ genotypes of C. olitorius representing diverse geographic locations.