GWAS and QTL mapping in Horticultural Crops

This edited volume presents a comprehensive overview of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping across a wide range of vegetable crops and their global significance. It covers the fundamental principles of GWAS and QTL mapping, including the statistical tools and methodologies used, along with insights into genetic resources, STRUCTURE analysis, and the development of bi- and multiparent mapping populations. The book also explores identified QTLs, developed molecular markers, and candidate genes associated with economically important traits in vegetable crops.
Vegetable crops play a crucial role in ensuring food and nutritional security for the growing global population. Grown on approximately 10.86 million hectares worldwide, producing 114.8 million tons annually, these crops not only serve as staple food sources but also as essential cash crops and raw materials for various food industries. This book discusses GWAS and QTL mapping efforts across key vegetable crop groups, including nightshades, cucurbits, brassicas, root and tuber crops, leafy vegetables, and others.
This book is intended for breeders, geneticists, pathologists, statisticians, biotechnologists, seed industry professionals, market managers, and graduate and postgraduate students. It will also benefit stakeholders from both the public and private sectors engaged in vegetable crop improvement. It provides practical guidance for developing breeding strategies and improving economically important traits in vegetable crops.

Dr. Shyam Sundar Dey is Principal Scientist at the Division of Vegetable Science, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. He has made notable contributions to the development of doubled haploid lines in crops like cucumber, cabbage & cauliflower, as well as cytoplasmic male sterile lines in cauliflower. He has played a key role in developing 18 hybrids and varieties of various vegetable crops and has registered eight germplasm lines with NBPGR, New Delhi. His research is focused on the development of molecular markers for economically important traits, allele mining, marker-assisted backcross breeding and the creation of genomic resources using indigenous cucumber germplasm and received several awards, including the Fellowship & Associateship of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the INSA Early Career Visiting Scientist award and a postdoctoral fellowship from the University of Western Australia.
Dr. Mir Asif Iquebal is Principal Scientist at the Division of Agricultural Bioinformatics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi. With over 17 years of research and teaching experience, he specializes in computational biology, genomics, transcriptomics and AI/ML applications in agricultural bioinformatics. He has led several multidisciplinary projects supported by organizations such as BMGF, DBT, ICAR and various state governments, contributing to a wide range of systems including crops, animals, fish and microbes. He has over 200 research publications and more than 40 copyrights to his credit. His work includes developing methodologies for the world’s first crop variety and animal breed signature servers, AI-based discovery tools for antimicrobial peptides and miRNAs and over 60 genomic databases and tools. He had advanced training in Bioinformatics at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa and also honored as a Fellow by the National Academy of Biological Sciences, the National Environmental Science Academy and the West Bengal Academy of Science & Technology. He is an Associate of NAAS and Member of NASI.
Dr. Sarika is Professor and Principal Scientist at the Division of Agricultural Bioinformatics, ICAR-IASRI, New Delhi. With over 17 years of academic and research experience her work spans genome and transcriptome assembly, genome editing, copy number variations and the use of AI/ML in agricultural bioinformatics. She has led numerous high-impact research projects funded by BMGF, DBT, ICAR & NASF. She has developed more than 60 genomic databases, web servers and AI/ML-based tools for DNA marker discovery, GWAS & trait prediction and holds >40 copyrights. Her interdisciplinary contributions continue to advance agricultural genomics and precision breeding. She received advanced international training at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Her scientific excellence has been recognized through awards such as the NABS Best Woman Scientist Award (2020), NAAS Associate (2019), NASI Membership (2020) and Fellowships from NABS & NESA (2023).
Dr. Reeta Bhatia Dey is Principal Scientist at the Division of Floriculture and Landscaping, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi. With over 17 years of research and teaching experience, she has made important contributions to the application of modern biotechnological tools for the improvement of horticultural crops. Her work includes the development of doubled haploids across several floricultural species. She was awarded the prestigious Endeavour Research Fellowship by the Government of Australia, which enabled her to pursue postdoctoral studies at the University of Western Australia. She has been honored with several accolades, including the D. P. Ghosh Young Scientist Award, IARI Best PhD Student Award, Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Gold Medal and the Dr. Y.S. Parmar University Gold Medal. She is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Horticultural Sciences, published over 85 research papers, edited 5 books, written more than 50 review and popular science articles.