Genome-Wide Association Study Uncovers Loci and Candidate Genes Underlying Phytosterol Variation in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Sesame is one of the most important oilseed crops grown worldwide. It provides diverse nutraceuticals—including lignans, unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), phytosterols, etc.—to humans. Among sesame’s nutraceuticals, phytosterols have received less attention from sesame breeders, although their biological and pharmacological functions been recorded. Therefore, in present study, we evaluated variation phytosterol contents 402 accessions two environments revealed associated loci candidate genes. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis unveiled that mainly contains four phytosterols: campesterol, stigmasterol, ?-sitosterol, ?5-avenasterol. ?-sitosterol (1.6–4.656 mg/g) was major phytosterol, followed by campesterol (0–2.847 mg/g), stigmasterol (0.356–1.826 ?5-avenasterol (0–1.307 mg/g). The total content varied 2.694 to 8.388 mg/g. Genome-wide association study identified 33 significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for traits, which Ch6-39270 Ch11-142842 were environmentally stable simultaneously linked with variation. Candidate genes screening indicated SINPZ1100015 encoding a NAC domain-containing protein 43 likely effect gene sesame. results this extend knowledge provide resources markers-assisted breeding high-phytosterol varieties.