QTL mapping for pumpkin fruit traits using a GBS-based high-density genetic map

Pumpkin is a popular vegetable crop and exhibits a broad diversity in fruit shape and size. Fruit-related traits are the decisive factors determining consumer acceptance and market value of pumpkin cultivar. As a result, deciphering the genetic basis of fruit-related traits is of great importance for pumpkin breeding. To address this problem, a F2 population was generated by two Cucurbita moschata inbred lines with contrasting fruit shapes, and genotyping by sequencing approach was used to construct a genetic map and localize the QTLs underlying the fruit-related traits in this study. The results showed that a high-quality genetic map was constructed for pumpkin, which comprised of 2413 bins and spanned a total length of 2252.10 cM with an average genetic distance of 0.94 cM. Thirty significant QTLs with moderate or small effects were identified for seven fruit-related traits, including fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit shape index, fruit weight, fruit flesh thickness, seed cavity size, and total soluble solids content. Co-locations were observed between the QTLs underlying different traits, demonstrating that pleiotropic effect plays an important role in genetic control of fruit-related traits. The identified QTLs provide valuable information for further fine mapping of the related genes and pumpkin breeding programs with the aim of improving fruit quality.