Genetic and QTL analysis for kernel iron and zinc concentrations in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

The present investigation was carried out to identify the molecular markers associated with the kernel iron and zinc concentrations and to study the gene action involved in the inheritance of the traits under concern using generation mean analysis by conducting two separate experiments at ICRISAT, Patancheru. Besides that, studies were also made to estimate the nature and magnitude of genetic effects and to understand the association of kernel iron and zinc concentrations with grain yield and other agronomic traits. In the first experiment, an attempt was made to identify the molecular markers associated with the kernel iron and zinc concentrations using F2:3 mapping population of a cross between a high kernel iron and zinc containing parent, ICGV 06099 and a low kernel iron and zinc containing parent, ICGV 93468. Parental polymorphism survey was conducted with 200 SSR markers, out of which thirty three markers were found polymorphic between the parents. Out of 33 polymorphic SSR markers, three markers viz., SEQ1B09, IPAHM245 and SEQ9G05 showed significant association with the kernel iron concentration with a phenotypic variation of 0.23, 2.19 and 6.34 %, respectively, towards the trait and three markers viz., GM2638, IPAHM245 and SEQ9G05 showed significant association with phenotypic variation of 1.75, 2.25 and 6.01 %, respectively towards kernel zinc concentration. Validation of these markers in another F2:3 population derived from the cross ICGV 06040 × ICGV 87141 also showed the strong association of these markers with the trait of interest.