Quantitative Traits Locus Meta-analysis of Fiber Quality Traits in Cotton

Using bioinformatics methods and meta-analysis with BC₁ map as reference, 92 cotton fiber quality QTL collected from both BC₁ and BC₁F₂ populations constructed previously were used to construct a QTL integrated map for QTL analysis in this study. The five hundred ninety-nine loci were mapped into 26 chromosomes with an average distance between adjacent markers of 5.96 cM and covered 3,571.9 cM. Sixty-three QTL of fiber qualities related were integrated into the new reference map. The fifteen meta-QTL were mapped on 12 chromosomes by the meta-analysis method and also QTL clusters have been discovered on chromosome 9, 16 and 24. The major meta-QTL of Meta-QTL9-1 derived from five QTL on chromosome 9, could explain 17.16% of phenotypic variance. The meta-QTL16-1 derived from ten QTL on chromosome 16, could explain 12.28% of phenotypic variance. And three meta-QTL derived from nine QTLs on chromosome 24, could explain 16.12%,16.69% and 18.27% of phenotypic variance, respectively. On average, one meta-QTL derived from two QTLs on the other chromosomes. The results indicated that these meta-QTL could be used in improving fine QTL mapping and molecular-assisted selection of cotton fiber qualities in breeding.