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Major QTL for carrot color are positionally associated with carotenoid biosynthetic genes and interact epistatically in a domesticated × wild carrot cross

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Abstract

We performed QTL analyses for pigment content on a carotenoid biosynthesis function map based on progeny of a wild white carrot (QAL) which accumulates no pigments × domesticated orange carrot (B493), one of the richest sources of carotenoid pigments—mainly provitamin A α- and β- carotenes. Two major interacting loci, Y and Y 2 on linkage groups 2 and 5, respectively, control much variation for carotenoid accumulation in carrot roots. They are associated with carotenoid biosynthetic genes zeaxanthin epoxidase and carotene hydroxylase and carotenoid dioxygenase gene family members as positional candidate genes. Dominant Y allele inhibits carotenoid accumulation. When Y is homozygous recessive, carotenoids that accumulate are either only xanthophylls in Y 2 __ plants, or both carotenes and xanthophylls, in y 2 y 2 plants. These two genes played a major role in carrot domestication and account for the significant role that modern carrot plays in vitamin A nutrition.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Initiative for Future Agriculture Food Systems Grant number 2000-4258 from the USDA Cooperative Research, Education, and Extension Service. The senior author acknowledges the generous support of the Gabelman-Shippo Distinguished Graduate Fellowship in the Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics Program of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We are grateful for the proficient technical assistance of Douglas Senalik.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics Program, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin, 1575 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Brian J. Just, Carlos A. F. Santos, Brian S. Yandell & Philipp W. Simon

  2. Seminis Vegetable Seeds, PO Box 249, Felda, FL, 33930, USA

    Brian J. Just

  3. Embrapa-Semi-Arido, CP 23, Petrolina, PE, 56300-970, Brazil

    Carlos A. F. Santos

  4. Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Brian S. Yandell

  5. USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Vegetable Crops Research Unit, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Philipp W. Simon

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  1. Brian J. Just
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  2. Carlos A. F. Santos
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Correspondence to Philipp W. Simon.

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Communicated by I. Paran.

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Just, B.J., Santos, C.A.F., Yandell, B.S. et al. Major QTL for carrot color are positionally associated with carotenoid biosynthetic genes and interact epistatically in a domesticated × wild carrot cross. Theor Appl Genet 119, 1155–1169 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-009-1117-z

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