A major FT/TFL1 regulatory locus (Meflwr13) controls flowering time in cassava and provides validated markers for accelerated breeding

This molecular architecture strongly suggests that flowering time in this population is controlled by the balance of promoting and repressing factors at this locus. To facilitate direct application, we validated key single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from Meflwr13 in an independent panel of 304 breeding progenitors. Three SNPs (C13_889929, C13_634483, and C13_658450) exhibited a dominant segregation pattern and showed favorable performance metrics, confirming their predictive power across diverse genetic backgrounds. These validated dominant markers provide breeders with an efficient, cost-effective tool for MAS, enabling rapid screening of seedlings in the nursery. Utilization of these markers will significantly accelerate the production of new, superior cassava varieties.