Preliminary study of QTLs for susceptibility to blue mold in apple (Malus x domestica) identified with genome-wide association mapping

Ahmadi-Afzadi, Masoud; Muranty, Helen; Durel, Charles-Eric; Tahir, Ibrahim; Nybom, Hilde

doi:10.22077/jhpr.2025.9150.1489

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran

² University of Angers, INRAE, Institute of Agro, IRHS, SFR QUASAV, F-49000 Angers, France

³ Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden

⁴ Department of Plant Breeding–Balsgård, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Kristianstad, Sweden

https://doi.org/10.22077/jhpr.2025.9150.1489

Abstract

Purpose: Apple is one of the commercially most important fruits hosting a wide range of postharvest diseases that can threaten grower economy resulting in a yearly yield loss. Fungal diseases are the major problem in many countries, especially in organic culture as well as in countries with humid condition. Among the postharvest diseases, blue mold (caused by Penicillium expansum) is one of the most important. This disease is very destructive on apple, not only due to the economic damage but also because of mycotoxin patulin production. Research method: In the present study, we used wound inoculation and fruit trait data along with a large set of SNP data from the Axiom^®Apple 480 K array to explore possible QTLs associated with rate of lesion decay, ripening period, fruit firmness and softening. Findings: Due to the very large number of SNPs in the present study, the significance threshold (5.63) was higher than in most other Genome-Wide Association Studies. However, some close to significant associations involving lesion decay were found on linkage group 3 (LG3), spanning a distance of 537 Kb (from 30,527,077 to 31,064,205). Interestingly, two SNPs associated with ripening period were also found on LG3 at the same position (30,494,523–30,885,771). Research limitations: This study could be extended with inclusion of more cultivars from different locations in order to minimize the impact of environment and to enhance the study power. Originality/Value: Although the genetic mechanism of blue mold resistance seems to be controlled by several genes in apple, our results indicate a possible association on LG3 which needs to be further investigated for candidate gene targeting. This finding may help to understand the genetic mechanism of blue mold disease in apple.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

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Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research

Preliminary study of QTLs for susceptibility to blue mold in apple (Malus x domestica) identified with genome-wide association mapping

References

References

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 08 October 2025

Preliminary study of QTLs for susceptibility to blue mold in apple (Malus x domestica) identified with genome-wide association mapping

References

References

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof Available Online from 08 October 2025

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 08 October 2025