Abstract: 【Objective】To evaluate the late blight resistance in field. To use SNP markers to analyze the genetic diversity of late blight resistance of potato germplasm and discern the genetic segments that may affect the phenotype of potato late blight resistance, and to provide a theoretical basis for the innovation and utilization of potato late blight resistant germplasm.【Method】Field resistance to late blight was evaluated in potato germplasm at multiple locations and over the course of several years. SNP markers were detected using a dd-RAD simplified genome sequencing strategy. The population genetic structure was analyzed using Admixture, principal component analysis was conducted using GCTA, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using fastTree, population genetic diversity parameters were calculated using the populations command in the Stacks package, selective sweep parameters were calculated using vcftools, protein sequences were aligned using Clustal Omega, and a proteins phylogenetic tree was drawn using MEGA6. Genome-wide association analysis was constructed using GEMMA 0.98.1 and QQ and manhattan plots were drawn using CMplot.【Result】Through years of evaluation of late blight field resistance in multiple locations, potato germplasm of 101 late blight resistant varieties (lines) and 21 susceptible varieties were obtained. A total of 8 697 602 relatively evenly distributed SNPs were obtained using dd-RAD simplified genome sequencing on these germplasms. This germplasm can be further divided into 6 populations through structural analysis, principal component analysis and phylogenetic analysis. The average nucleotide diversity (π) within the 6 populations ranged from 0.2055 to 0.2572 and the fixation index (Fst) among the six populations ranged from 0.156909 to 0.187336, revealing a relatively large genetic diversity for these germplasms. The expected heterozygosity (He) within the 6 populations ranged from 0.187 to 0.2297 and the observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.0829 to 0.1186. The values of Ho were less than those of He in all six populations. Meanwhile, the inbreeding coefficient (Fis) for the six populations ranged from 0.2412 to 0.3554, indicating inbreeding events during the breeding process. To identify the genetic segments that may affect the phenotype of potato late blight resistance, π ratios and Fst among different late blight resistance germplasms in the whole potato genome were calculated using 20 kb as the window length and 5 kb as the step length. The 745 genetic segments which had a π ratio value in the lowest 5% and a Fst value in highest 10% were further analyzed by performing a selective sweep analysis. These selected segments contain a total of 507 genes, including 4 NBS-LRR genes. A genome-wide association analysis was also conducted, yielding 9 SNP highly associated with late blight resistance. Of the 69 genes located in the genome within 50 kb around the 9 SNPs, 15 genes were predicted to be involved in stress response, and 12 genes were predicted to be involved in removing peroxide radicals.【Conclusion】Large amount of SNPs, which are relatively evenly distributed in the potato genome, can be genotyped by dd-RAD simplified genome sequencing. Potato late blight field resistance germplasm has a large genetic diversity, but had inbreeding events in the process of breeding. Population structure analysis can reveal the genetic relationship between potato germplasms, which can further provide a theoretical basis for parental selection in breeding. Selective sweep and genome-wide association analyses help to isolate genetic segments that may affect late blight resistance traits.

Key words: potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), late blight (Phytophthora infestans), single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), genetic diversity, selective sweep, association mapping