Genome-wide analysis of AP2/ERF superfamily in lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) and the association between NnADAP and rhizome morphology

BACKGROUND: The AP2/ERF family is widely present in plants and plays a crucial regulatory role in plant growth and development. As an essential aquatic horticultural model plant, lotus has an increasingly prominent economic and research value. RESULTS: We have identified and analysed the AP2/ERF gene family in the lotus. Initially, 121 AP2/ERF family genes were identified. By analysing their gene distribution and protein structure, and their expression patterns during the development of lotus rhizome, combined with previous studies, we obtained an SNP (megascaffold_20:3578539) associated with lotus rhizome phenotype. This SNP was in the NnADAP gene of the AP2 subfamily, and the changes in SNP (C/T) caused amino acid conversion (proline/leucine). We constructed a population of 95 lotus varieties for SNP verification. Through population typing experiments, we found that the group with SNP CC had significantly larger lotus rhizome and higher soluble sugar content among the population. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we speculate that the alteration of the SNP in the NnADAP can affect the size and sugar content of the lotus rhizome. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07473-w.