Association Analysis and Estimation of Breeding Values of Iranian Table Grapevine Germplasm by Integrating Pomological and Molecular Data
Abstract Genetic resources in each country are valuable assets for sustainable development. An accurate knowledge of genetic behavior and identification of genomic loci associated with important economic traits will help breeders to run efficiently their breeding programs. Fourteen important pomological traits were measured on 45 Iranian table grape cultivars during three successive years. Molecular profile of studied cultivars was prepared with 39 (Simple sequence Repeat) SSR primers pairs. Genetic structure analysis based on the SSR markers revealed two sub-populations (K = 2) in the association panel. In association analysis using mixed linear model seven loci were found to be significantly associated with the studied traits at 5% probability level. Breeding values were also estimated for the pomological traits using the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP). “Saghal Solian”, “At Ouzum”, “Garmian”, “Rishbaba Qermez”, “Taifi”, “Shahroudi”, “Sahebi Qermez”, “Lal Qermez”, “Alhaghi”, “Sarghola”, “Chava Ga”, “Qzl Ouzum” and “Agh Shani” table grape cultivars showed high and positive breeding value for cluster length, width and weight. Whereas “Garmian”, “Rishbaba Qermez”, “Fakhri”, “Agh Shani”, “Lal Sefid” and “Shirazi” had positive and high breeding value for pollen germination, fruit set in open pollination and fruit set under controlled pollination. Finally, Sarghola” and “Qzl Ouzum” showed the positive and highest breeding value for berry weight, flesh weight, cluster length, cluster width and cluster weight. The cultivar with high and positive breeding value can be used as a good parent for breeding of traits in hybridization programs because they can better transfer the desirable characteristics to the progeny in each case.