Genetic mapping for agronomic, nutritional, and leaf vein traits in the indigenous crop Gynandropsis gynandra

Abstract Gynandropsis gynandra is a nutrient-rich, climate-resilient, C4 under-utilised crop with potential to enhance food security in low-input farming systems. To support its genetic improvement, we performed linkage mapping using two F2 populations (213 and 187 individuals) derived from Malaysia...

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Main Authors: Conor J. C. Simpson, Dêêdi E. O. Sogbohossou, Gregory Reeves, M. Eric Schranz, Pallavi Singh, Julian M. Hibberd
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:npj Sustainable Agriculture
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-025-00074-0
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author Conor J. C. Simpson
Dêêdi E. O. Sogbohossou
Gregory Reeves
M. Eric Schranz
Pallavi Singh
Julian M. Hibberd
author_facet Conor J. C. Simpson
Dêêdi E. O. Sogbohossou
Gregory Reeves
M. Eric Schranz
Pallavi Singh
Julian M. Hibberd
author_sort Conor J. C. Simpson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Gynandropsis gynandra is a nutrient-rich, climate-resilient, C4 under-utilised crop with potential to enhance food security in low-input farming systems. To support its genetic improvement, we performed linkage mapping using two F2 populations (213 and 187 individuals) derived from Malaysian and Malawian founder lines. Under controlled greenhouse conditions, populations were phenotyped for agronomic traits (plant height, leaf area, flowering time), nutritional content (carotenoids, tocopherols), and anatomical features linked to C4 photosynthesis (vein density, bundle sheath size). High-density SNP genotyping enabled construction of linkage maps and identification of 15 QTL. Shared QTL for plant size and flowering time across both populations suggest stable genetic control suitable for marker-assisted selection. Additional QTL for vein density and vitamin content provide insights into the genetic basis of agronomic traits and C4 physiology. These results offer foundational tools for G. gynandra pre-breeding and reinforce its potential as a model for C4 photosynthesis research and sustainable agriculture.
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publishDate 2025-06-01
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spelling doaj-art-3fb3d00a3cf84b8eaef1cf4f2981ae092025-08-20T03:10:35ZengNature Portfolionpj Sustainable Agriculture2731-92022025-06-013111410.1038/s44264-025-00074-0Genetic mapping for agronomic, nutritional, and leaf vein traits in the indigenous crop Gynandropsis gynandraConor J. C. Simpson0Dêêdi E. O. Sogbohossou1Gregory Reeves2M. Eric Schranz3Pallavi Singh4Julian M. Hibberd5University of Cambridge, Department of Plant SciencesWageningen University & ResearchUniversity of Cambridge, Department of Plant SciencesWageningen University & ResearchUniversity of Cambridge, Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of Cambridge, Department of Plant SciencesAbstract Gynandropsis gynandra is a nutrient-rich, climate-resilient, C4 under-utilised crop with potential to enhance food security in low-input farming systems. To support its genetic improvement, we performed linkage mapping using two F2 populations (213 and 187 individuals) derived from Malaysian and Malawian founder lines. Under controlled greenhouse conditions, populations were phenotyped for agronomic traits (plant height, leaf area, flowering time), nutritional content (carotenoids, tocopherols), and anatomical features linked to C4 photosynthesis (vein density, bundle sheath size). High-density SNP genotyping enabled construction of linkage maps and identification of 15 QTL. Shared QTL for plant size and flowering time across both populations suggest stable genetic control suitable for marker-assisted selection. Additional QTL for vein density and vitamin content provide insights into the genetic basis of agronomic traits and C4 physiology. These results offer foundational tools for G. gynandra pre-breeding and reinforce its potential as a model for C4 photosynthesis research and sustainable agriculture.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-025-00074-0
spellingShingle Conor J. C. Simpson
Dêêdi E. O. Sogbohossou
Gregory Reeves
M. Eric Schranz
Pallavi Singh
Julian M. Hibberd
Genetic mapping for agronomic, nutritional, and leaf vein traits in the indigenous crop Gynandropsis gynandra
npj Sustainable Agriculture
title Genetic mapping for agronomic, nutritional, and leaf vein traits in the indigenous crop Gynandropsis gynandra
title_full Genetic mapping for agronomic, nutritional, and leaf vein traits in the indigenous crop Gynandropsis gynandra
title_fullStr Genetic mapping for agronomic, nutritional, and leaf vein traits in the indigenous crop Gynandropsis gynandra
title_full_unstemmed Genetic mapping for agronomic, nutritional, and leaf vein traits in the indigenous crop Gynandropsis gynandra
title_short Genetic mapping for agronomic, nutritional, and leaf vein traits in the indigenous crop Gynandropsis gynandra
title_sort genetic mapping for agronomic nutritional and leaf vein traits in the indigenous crop gynandropsis gynandra
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-025-00074-0
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