Identification of BnaYUCCA6 as a candidate gene for branch angle in Brassica napus by QTL-seq

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is one of the most important oil crops in China as well as worldwide. Branch angle as a plant architecture component trait plays an important role for high density planting and yield performance. In this study, bulked segregant analysis (BSA) combined with next generation sequencing technology was used to fine map QTL for branch angle. A major QTL, designated as branch angle 1 (ba1) was identified on A06 and further validated by Indel marker-based classical QTL mapping in an F(2) population. Eighty-two genes were identified in the ba1 region. Among these genes, BnaA0639380D is a homolog of AtYUCCA6. Sequence comparison of BnaA0639380D from small- and big-branch angle oilseed rape lines identified six SNPs and four amino acid variation in the promoter and coding region, respectively. The expression level of BnaA0639380D is significantly higher in the small branch angle line Purler than in the big branch angle line Huyou19, suggesting that the genomic mutations may result in reduced activity of BnaA0639380D in Huyou19. Phytohormone determination showed that the IAA content in Purler was also obviously increased. Taken together, our results suggested BnaA0639380D is a possible candidate gene for branch angle in oilseed rape.