Detection of QTL associated with morphological, adaptive, and reproductive traits in common bermudagrass

Abstract Common bermudagrass [ Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is an important turfgrass in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate climates worldwide. However, molecular information associated with adaptive and morphological traits in this species is limited. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to identify genomic regions associated with establishment rate, spring green‐up, drought response, leaf length and width, and stem internode length and width. We used an existing high‐density linkage map constructed with 3322 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 222 simple sequence repeat markers for “A12359” common bermudagrass. A total of 130 first‐generation selfed progeny of A12359 were evaluated in a field trial using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Thirty‐two QTL were identified as associated with the target traits. We identified 29 candidate genes from consistent and pleiotropic QTL regions. These results provide important genetic resources toward understanding the molecular information associated with the target traits as well as provide a foundation for marker‐assisted selection in bermudagrass breeding.