QTL mapping for seed density per silique in Brassica napus

Seed density per silique (SDPS) and valid silique length (VSL) are two important yield-influencing traits in rapeseed. SDPS has a direct or indirect effect on rapeseed yield through its effect on seed per silique. In this study, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for SDPS was detected on chromosome A09 using the QTL-seq approach and confirmed via linkage analysis in the mapping population obtained from 4263 × 3001 cross. Furthermore, one major QTL for SDPS (qSD.A9-1) was mapped to a 401.8 kb genomic interval between SSR markers Nys9A190 and Nys9A531. In the same genomic region, a QTL (qSL.A9) linked to VSL was also detected. The phenotypic variation of qSD.A9-1 and qSL.A9 was 53.1% and 47.6%, respectively. Results of the additive and dominant effects demonstrated that the expression of genes controlling SDPS and VSL were derived from a different parent in this population. Subsequently, we identified 56 genes that included 45 specific genes with exonic (splicing) variants. Further analysis identified specific genes containing mutations that may be related to seed density as well as silique length. These genes could be used for further studies to understand the details of these traits of rapeseed.