Flowering time is an important agronomic trait of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Managing flowering time can produce economic benefits for farmers. To understand the genetic basis of this trait, quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was conducted in a full‐sib population that consisted of 392 individuals segregating based on flowering time. High density linkage maps were constructed using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers generated by genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS). The linkage maps contained 3,818 SNP markers on 64 linkage groups in two parents. The average marker density was 4.33 cM for Parent 1 (P1) and 1.47 cM for Parent 2 (P2). Phenotypic data for flowering time was collected for three years at one location. Twenty‐eight QTLs were identified associated with flowering time. Eleven QTLs explained more than 10% of the phenotypic variation. Among them, five main effect QTLs located on linkage group (LG) 7D of P1 and five main effect QTLs located on LG 6D of P2 were identified. Three QTLs were co‐located with other QTLs. The identified linked markers to QTLs could be used for marker‐assisted selection in breeding programs to develop new alfalfa varieties to modulate flowering time.

中文翻译：

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利用测序进行基因型分型的高密度遗传连锁图谱构建及四倍体苜蓿开花时间的数量性状位点（QTL）定位

开花时间是苜蓿的重要农艺性状（紫花苜蓿L.）。管理开花时间可以为农民带来经济利益。为了了解该性状的遗传基础，在全同胞种群中进行了数量性状基因座（QTL）定位，该种群由392个个体组成，根据开花时间进行分离。高密度连锁图谱是使用单核苷酸多态性（SNP）标记构建的，该标记是通过基因分型测序（GBS）生成的。连锁图包含两个亲本的64个连锁组中的3,818个SNP标记。亲代1（P1）的平均标记密度为4.33 cM，亲代2（P2）的平均标记密度为1.47 cM。在一个位置收集了三年的开花时间的表型数据。鉴定出28个与开花时间相关的QTL。11个QTL解释了超过10％的表型变异。其中，确定了位于P1的连锁群（LG）7D上的五个主要效应QTL和位于P2的LG 6D上的五个主要效应QTL。三个QTL与其他QTL位于同一位置。鉴定出的与QTL相关的标记可用于育种计划中的标记辅助选择，以开发新的苜蓿品种来调节开花时间。