Data_Sheet_1_Genome-wide association study and transcriptome analysis reveal key genes controlling fruit branch angle in cotton.docx

Fruit branch angle (FBA), a pivotal component of cotton plant architecture, is vital for field and mechanical harvesting. However, the molecular mechanism of FBA formation is poorly understood in cotton. To uncover the genetic basis for FBA formation in cotton, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 163 cotton accessions with re-sequencing data. A total of 55 SNPs and 18 candidate genes were significantly associated with FBA trait. By combining GWAS and transcriptome analysis, four genes underlying FBA were identified. An FBA-associated candidate gene Ghi_A09G08736, which is homologous to SAUR46 in Arabidopsis thaliana, was detected in our study. In addition, transcriptomic evidence was provided to show that gravity and light were implicated in the FBA formation. This study provides new insights into the genetic architecture of FBA that informs architecture breeding in cotton.

果枝角度（Fruit branch angle, FBA）是棉花株型的关键组成部分，对大田种植与机械采收至关重要。然而，目前对于棉花果枝角度形成的分子机制尚不清楚。为解析棉花果枝角度形成的遗传基础，本研究对163份棉花种质资源的重测序数据开展了全基因组关联分析（Genome-Wide Association Study, GWAS），共筛选到与果枝角度性状显著关联的55个单核苷酸多态性（Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, SNPs）位点及18个候选基因。结合全基因组关联分析与转录组分析，本研究鉴定出4个调控果枝角度形成的关键基因。本研究中检测到一个与果枝角度相关的候选基因Ghi_A09G08736，该基因与拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana）中的SAUR46同源。此外，本研究通过转录组学证据证实，重力与光照信号参与了棉花果枝角度的形成过程。本研究为解析棉花果枝角度的遗传结构提供了新的见解，可为棉花株型育种提供理论指导。