Mutations in the transcription factor suppressing chlorophyll pigmentation in the eggplant fruit peel are key drivers of a diversified colour palette.

Understanding the mechanisms by which chlorophylls are synthesized in the eggplant () fruit peel is of great relevance for eggplant breeding. A multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) population and a germplasm collection have been screened for green pigmentation in the fruit peel and used to identify candidate genes for this trait. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) performed with 420 MAGIC individuals revealed a major association on chromosome 8 close to a gene similar to .

Newly Developed MAGIC Population Allows Identification of Strong Associations and Candidate Genes for Anthocyanin Pigmentation in Eggplant.

Multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) populations facilitate the genetic dissection of complex quantitative traits in plants and are valuable breeding materials. We report the development of the first eggplant MAGIC population (S3 Magic EGGplant InCanum, S3MEGGIC; 8-way), constituted by the 420 S3 individuals developed from the intercrossing of seven cultivated eggplant () and one wild relative () parents. The S3MEGGIC recombinant population was genotyped with the eggplant 5k probes SPET platform and phenotyped for anthocyanin presence in vegetative plant tissues (PA) and fruit epidermis (FA), and for the light-insensitive anthocyanic pigmentation under the calyx (PUC).

The Dawn of the Age of Multi-Parent MAGIC Populations in Plant Breeding: Novel Powerful Next-Generation Resources for Genetic Analysis and Selection of Recombinant Elite Material.

The compelling need to increase global agricultural production requires new breeding approaches that facilitate exploiting the diversity available in the plant genetic resources. Multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) populations are large sets of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) that are a genetic mosaic of multiple founder parents. MAGIC populations display emerging features over experimental bi-parental and germplasm populations in combining significant levels of genetic recombination, a lack of genetic structure, and high genetic and phenotypic diversity.

Development and Genetic Characterization of Advanced Backcross Materials and An Introgression Line Population of in a Background.

Advanced backcrosses (ABs) and introgression lines (ILs) of eggplant () can speed up genetics and genomics studies and breeding in this crop. We have developed the first full set of ABs and ILs in eggplant using , a wild eggplant that has a relatively high tolerance to drought, as a donor parent. The development of these ABs and IL eggplant populations had a low efficiency in the early stages, because of the lack of molecular markers and genomic tools.

Genome reconstruction in Cynara cardunculus taxa gains access to chromosome-scale DNA variation.

The genome sequence of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus, 2n = 2x = 34) is now available for use.