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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2026, Vol. 25 Issue (2): 709-720    DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2025.11.020
Horticulture Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Candidate gene analysis of cabbage head-splitting resistance based on QTL mapping and omics profiling

Xiaowei Zhu1*, Min Wang1*, Xiang Tai1, Panling Lu1, Hang Gui2, Jinxiu Chen1#, Tianyue Bo1#

1 Shanghai Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Protected Horticultural Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China

2 Shanghai Shengeng Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201824, China

 Highlights 

• Head-splitting resistance QTL(s) in cabbage were investigated using an F2 population derived from a cross between 'ZF' and '103'.

• One head-splitting resistance QTL, qNLQ3.1, was identified through multiple approaches including QTL-seq, Graded Pool-seq (GPS), and traditional genetic linkage analysis.

• Integration of transcriptomic and metabolic profiling enabled the identification of Bol028000 as a plausible candidate gene within qNLQ3.1.

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摘要  
裂球是结球甘蓝常见的生理性病害之一,给甘蓝生产造成严重的经济损失。但迄今有关甘蓝耐裂球的遗传因子及分子机理知之甚少。因此,本研究通过利用两份甘蓝自交系,‘Dazhengfu’(‘ZF’,易裂球)和‘103’(耐裂球),杂交构建的F2群体结合QTL-seq和Graded Pool-seq(GPS)分析获得1个位于C03染色体的耐裂球相关区段,qNLQ3.1,之后运用传统遗传作图分析将该位点缩小至74.6 kb的区间内。此外,通过转录组学和代谢组学对‘ZF’和‘103’进行比较分析,发现激素在调控耐裂球中起重要作用。Bol028000,编码一个拟南芥细胞分裂素响应因子(Cytokinin Response Factor 3,CRF3)的同源蛋白,被认为是与耐裂球相关的最有希望的候选基因,进一步利用Sanger测序和荧光定量PCR(Quantitative RT-PCR,qRT-PCR)对该基因进行了验证。亚细胞定位分析表明,Bol028000基因主要在细胞核中表达。另外,我们开发了基于Bol028000的KASP分子标记,并利用该分子标记对42份自交系进行了筛选。上述结果丰富了耐裂球的理论基础,对利用分子育种技术选育耐裂球甘蓝具有重要意义。




Abstract  

Head-splitting is a prevalent physiological disorder in cabbage that causes substantial economic losses.  However, the genetic factors and molecular mechanisms underlying head-splitting resistance remain largely unexplored.  This study identified a genomic region (qNLQ3.1) for head-splitting resistance on chromosome C03 through the combination of QTL-seq and GPS analysis in an F2 population derived from hybridizing two cabbage inbred lines, ‘Dazhengfu’ (ZF, susceptible) and ‘103’ (resistant). Traditional genetic linkage analysis narrowed qNLQ3.1 to a 74.6 kb region.  Furthermore, comparative analysis of the two parental lines using transcriptomic and metabolic profiling demonstrated the crucial role of hormones in regulating head-splitting resistance.  Bol028000, encoding a homologue of Arabidopsis Cytokinin Response Factor 3 (CRF3), emerged as a promising candidate for head-splitting resistance and was subsequently validated through Sanger sequencing and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR).  Subcellular localisation analysis revealed that Bol028000 was mainly expressed in the nucleus.  Additionally, one kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) marker from Bol028000 was developed and utilized to screen 42 inbred lines.  These findings enhance the theoretical understanding of head-splitting resistance and provide valuable insights for the molecular breeding of head-splitting resistant cabbages.


Keywords:  cabbage       head-splitting resistance       QTL       transcriptomic and metabolic profiling  
Received: 28 October 2024   Accepted: 14 May 2025 Online: 14 November 2025  
Fund: 

This research was funded by the Agricultural Development Program through Science and Technology of Shanghai, China (2022-02-08-00-12-F01099), the National Key R&D Program of China (2023YFD1201501), the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, China (22DX1900100), and the Excellent Team Project of Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China (2022(007)).

About author:  #Correspondence Jinxiu Chen, E-mail: cabbagecjx@126.com; Tianyue Bo, E-mail: tybo@saas.sh.cn * These authors contributed equally to this study.

Cite this article: 

Xiaowei Zhu, Min Wang, Xiang Tai, Panling Lu, Hang Gui, Jinxiu Chen, Tianyue Bo. 2026. Candidate gene analysis of cabbage head-splitting resistance based on QTL mapping and omics profiling. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 25(2): 709-720.

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