Genome wide association analyses to understand genetic basis of flowering and plant height under three levels of nitrogen application in Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss

Timely transition to flowering, maturity and plant height are important for agronomic adaptation and productivity of Indian mustard (B. juncea), which is a major edible oilseed crop of low input ecologies in Indian subcontinent. Breeding manipulation for these traits is difficult because of the involvement of multiple interacting genetic and environmental factors. Here, we report a genetic analysis of these traits using a population comprising 92 diverse genotypes of mustard. These genotypes were evaluated under deficient (N75), normal (N100) or excess (N125) conditions of nitrogen (N) application. Lower N availability induced early flowering and maturity in most genotypes, while high N conditions delayed both. A genotyping-by-sequencing approach helped to identify 406,888 SNP markers and undertake genome wide association studies (GWAS). 282 significant marker-trait associations (MTA's) were identified. We detected strong interactions between GWAS loci and nitrogen levels. Though some trait associated SNPs were detected repeatedly across fertility gradients, majority were identified under deficient or normal levels of N applications. Annotation of the genomic region (s) within ± 50 kb of the peak SNPs facilitated prediction of 30 candidate genes belonging to light perception, circadian, floral meristem identity, flowering regulation, gibberellic acid pathways and plant development. These included over one copy each of AGL24, AP1, FVE, FRI, GID1A and GNC. FLC and CO were predicted on chromosomes A02 and B08 respectively. CDF1, CO, FLC, AGL24, GNC and FAF2 appeared to influence the variation for plant height. Our findings may help in improving phenotypic plasticity of mustard across fertility gradients through marker-assisted breeding strategies.