Identification of QTL and QEI for Fiber-related Traits in Gossypium Hirsutum L. 

Abstract Background Cotton is one of the most important cash crops in the world, depending on fiber quality, yield, seed oil and protein content. Identifying QTL for fiber related and other agronomic traits will facilitate the genetic improvement in cotton. Results In this study, forty-seven QTL for fiber related traits were identified across four different environments and six of these QTL were detected in more than one environment, including two for lint percentage (qLP-D03-1 and qLP-D09-1), two for fiber length (qFL-A07-2 and qFL-D11-1), and two for fiber micronaire (qFM-A08-1 and qFM-D11-1), respectively. Four QTL clusters contained 12 QTL were distributed on four chromosomes including two in At subgenome and two in the Dt subgenome. Moreover, thirteen QTL by environment interactions (QEI) were recognized, including one for lint percentage, five for fiber length, three for fiber strength, two for fiber micronaire, one for fiber uniformity and one for fiber elongation, respectively. ConclusionSix QTL were detected in more than one environment and two environmentally stable QTL (qLP-D03-1 and qFM-A08-1) interacted significantly environment. The QTL detected in more than one environment could be useful for further fine-mapping and marker assisted selection in cotton.