Construction of a SNP-based linkage map and identification of QTLs for woody biomass-related traits using an interspecific F2 population derived from Jatropha curcas × Jatropha integerrima

Jatropha curcas (known as jatropha and physic nut) can be used as an alternative source for biodiesel and biomass production. However, conventional breeding of J. curcas needs time, labor and land for characterization and evaluation of the progenies owing to its perennial growth habit. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping can help identifying marker-trait association and accelerate breeding process of perennial crops through marker-assisted selection. However, the genetic basis for woody biomass improvement in jatropha has not yet been studied. In this manuscript, we report the construction of a SNP-based linkage map and detection of QTLs for woody-biomass-related traits using an F2 population of the interspecific cross between J. curcas and Jatropha integerrima. A high-density genetic linkage map containing 2,179 SNPs was constructed. As high as 89.26