Feasibility of genome-wide association analysis using a small single nucleotide polymorphism panel in an apple breeding population segregating for fruit skin color

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been used for a range of genetic studies and are now starting to be applied for marker-assisted selection in plant breeding programs. To identify SNP markers associated with red fruit skin color, we conducted a genome-wide association (GWA) analysis in an apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) breeding population comprising 94 phenotyped individuals using a 384-plex SNP assay. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis indicated that LD extends over a long physical distance in the population (17 Mbp), indicating that a small number of generations separates the individuals. No significant association of anthocyanin content, overcolor, and colorimetric measures (a*, b*, L*, a/b*, and hue angle) with a marker was identified, although the apple fruit skin color locus has been previously located on apple linkage group 9. Our trial of a small SNP panel for GWA in apple breeding material has demonstrated the limitation of this approach for marker trait association.