Genetic Dissection of Diverse Seed Coat Patterns in Cowpea through a Comprehensive GWAS Approach

Authors

Haizheng Xiong, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Yilin Chen, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Waltram Ravelombola, Texas A & M UniversityFollow
Beiquan Mou, USDA, Agricultural Research ServiceFollow
Xiaolun Sun, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Qingyang Zhang, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Yiting Xiao, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Yang Tian, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Qun Luo, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Ibtisam Alatawi, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Kenani Edward Chiwina, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
Hanan Mohammedsaeed Alkabkabi, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Ainong Shi, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2024

Keywords

cowpea; GWAS; seed coat pattern; seed coat color

Abstract

This study investigates the genetic determinants of seed coat color and pattern variations in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), employing a genome-wide association approach. Analyzing a mapping panel of 296 cowpea varieties with 110,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we focused on eight unique coat patterns: (1) Red and (2) Cream seed; (3) White and (4) Brown/Tan seed coat; (5) Pink, (6) Black, (7) Browneye and (8) Red/Brown Holstein. Across six GWAS models (GLM, SRM, MLM, MLMM, FarmCPU from GAPIT3, and TASSEL5), 13 significant SNP markers were identified and led to the discovery of 23 candidate genes. Among these, four specific genes may play a direct role in determining seed coat pigment. These findings lay a foundational basis for future breeding programs aimed at creating cowpea varieties aligned with consumer preferences and market requirements.

Citation

Xiong, H., Chen, Y., Ravelombola, W., Mou, B., Sun, X., Zhang, Q., Xiao, Y., Tian, Y., Luo, Q., Alatawi, I., Chiwina, K. E., Alkabkabi, H. M., & Shi, A. (2024). Genetic Dissection of Diverse Seed Coat Patterns in Cowpea through a Comprehensive GWAS Approach. Plants, 13 (9), 1275. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091275

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.