Identification of heat-tolerance QTLs and high-temperature stress-responsive genes through conventional QTL mapping, QTL-seq and RNA-seq in tomato

Abstract

In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the combination of conventional QTL mapping, QTL-seq analysis and RNA-seq can rapidly identify candidate genes within major QTLs for a complex trait of interest to replace the fine-mapping process, thus greatly shortening the breeding process and improving breeding efficiency. The results have important applications for the fine mapping and identification of HSR genes and breeding for improved thermotolerance.