Chinese Scientists Identify Important QTLs for Jatropha Fruit Yield

The demand for higher yield Jatropha curcas L. is rapidly increasing due to its potential in biofuel production. However, genetic analysis of Jatropha and molecular breeding for higher yield have been hindered by the few molecular markers available.

Zhiqiang Xia of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agriculture Sciences aimed to construct an ultrahigh-density linkage map for a Jatropha mapping population of 153 individuals. The genetic linkage map consisted of 3422 SNP and indel markers, which clustered into 11 linkage groups.

Using this map, 13 repeatable QTLs (reQTLs) for fruit yield traits were identified and mapped. Ten reQTLs, qNF-1, qNF-2a, qNF-2b, qNF-2c, qNF-3, qNF-4, qNF-6, qNF-7a, qNF-7b and qNF-8, control the number of fruits while the other three, qTWF-1, qTWF-2 and qTWF-3, control the total weight of fruits (TWF). There were also two candidate critical genes which may regulate Jatropha fruit yield.

This study is the first report of a Jatropha genetic linkage map construction where the markers used in this study showed great potential for QTL mapping. This map will be a useful tool for localization of other economically important QTLs and candidate genes for Jatropha.