Genome-Wide Association Study of Six Forage Traits in Ramie ( L. Gaud).

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) of six forage traits using whole-genome sequencing data generated from 301 ramie accessions found that traits were continuously distributed; the maximum variant coefficient was fresh weight per clump (FWPC) (2019) and individual plant height (IPH) (2019) minimum. Correlation analysis demonstrated that 2019 and 2020 results were similar; all traits were correlated. GWAS analysis demonstrated that six traits exhibited consistent and precise association signals. Of the latter, 104 were significant and detected in 43 genomic regions. By screening forage trait-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms and combining Manhattan map with genome annotation, signals were categorized according to functional annotations. One loci associated with fresh weight per plant (FWP) (chromosome 5; ), two associated with FWPC (chromosome 13; , and ), and two associated with leaf dry weight per plant (LDWP) and dry weight per plant (DWP) (chromosome 4; and ), were identified. We describe forage trait candidate genes that are highly correlated with FWP and FWPC; may be involved in nitrogen metabolism, while and may encode TEOSINTE branch 1/CYCLOIDEA/proliferating cytokine 1 (TCP) domains. and , which may regulate growth and development, are highly related to LDWP and DWP. These genomic resources will provide a basis for breeding varieties.