Ultra-high-throughput DArTseq-based silicoDArT and SNP markers for genomic studies in macadamia

PLoS One. 2018 Aug 31;13(8):e0203465. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203465. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia, M. tetraphylla and hybrids) is an Australian native nut crop and has a significant economic value in the food industries worldwide. Long juvenility along with traditional breeding strategies impede quick genetic improvement of this crop. The existing cultivars constitute only second to fourth generation of the wild germplasm in the rainforest. The utilisation of molecular markers for genomic selection and genome-wide association studies may accelerate genetic gains. Identification of a robust, reproducible, and cost-effective marker system is instrumental in increasing the efficiency of genomic studies. This study is the first to report the potential of two ultra-high-throughput diversity array technology (DArT) markers (silicoDArT and SNP) in macadamia. Both markers were used to identify the genetic diversity and population structure in 80 macadamia cultivars. Parentage analysis of 25 scions in a rootstock trial was conducted to confirm plant identity where recorded identities did not corroborate with phenotypic field observations. A total of 22,280 silicoDArT and 7,332 SNP markers were reported, of which 11,526 silicoDArT and 3,956 SNP markers were used for analyses after screening with quality control parameters including >95% call rate, >95% reproducibility, and >0.05 one ratio. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) values of silicoDArT and SNP markers were 0.29 and 0.21, respectively. Genetic variance among the cultivars ranged from 0.003 to 0.738 in silicoDArT and 0.004 to 0.412 in SNP markers. Four distinct population groups were identified from SNP data analysis. Most of the accessions used in this study were descended from two or more populations. Cluster analysis clearly separated genotypes of distinct origins, such as the Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station and Hidden Valley Plantation accessions. Two wild accessions of Macadamia jansenii and M. ternifolia were found to be distantly related to the cultivars. Wild germplasm individuals and their hybrids with cv. '660' formed separate clusters, suggesting that crossing between wild and cultivated genepools can extend genetic diversity. DArTseq-based SNP markers were successfully utilized to confirm the genetic identity of 25 scions in a rootstock trial. Our study suggests that DArT platforms are a robust system for the facilitation of genomic studies with regard to macadamia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Australia
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Genetic Markers / genetics*
  • Genetic Variation / genetics
  • Genome, Plant / genetics*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study / methods
  • Genomics / methods
  • Genotype
  • Macadamia / genetics*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / methods*
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Breeding / methods
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics*

Substances

  • Genetic Markers

Grants and funding

This research has been funded by Hort Innovation Australia, using the Macadamia research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government. Diversity Arrays Technology Pty Ltd. provided support in the form of salaries for author AK, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific role of this author is articulated in the 'author contributions' section.