Inheritance and QTL mapping identified multi-effects loci for fatty acid related traits in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil and edible protein crop. The fatty acid composition not only influences the quality of peanut oil but also impacts flavor, shelf life, and consumer health. Peanut oil comprises approximately 80% oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2), 10% palmitic acid (C16:0), and the remaining 10% includes stearic acid (C18:0), arachidic acid (C20:0), gadoleic acid (C20:1), behenic acid (C22:0), and lignoceric acid (C24:0). To unravel the genetic foundation of fatty acid content and delve into QTL localization, we utilized high-density SNP microarrays for genotyping the RIL population of ‘SunOleic 97R’ × ‘NC94022’. A genetic linkage map was constructed with 3141 SNP markers, covering a total genetic distance of 3051.81 cM. We identified 60 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with fatty acids which distributed in 11 linkage group, with phenotypic variance explained (PVE) ranging from 1.37% to 44.92%. Notably, the QTL qFAT_A05.1 and qFAT_A08.1 are multiple-effect loci contributing to various fatty acid compositions. Moreover, we identified 15 haplotypes for the QTL qFAT_A05.1 and qFAT_A08.1 through genotyping 178 peanut germplasms. Haplotypes analysis in natural population confirmed the closely relationship of the QTLs with the content of oil, oleic acid, lignoceric acid, palmitic acid and behenic acid. This study serves as a valuable reference for selecting improved peanut genotypes with superior oil quality and desirable fatty acid composition.