QTL analysis of anthocyanin in young leaves of tetraploid roses and candidate gene identification

Rose is an important ornamental plant worldwide. Previous studies have shown significant correlations between the color of young leaves and the color of rose petals. In order to explore the genetic mechanism of leaf color formation and assist in the early directional selection of roses, this study used the previously developed high-density genetic map and identified the anthocyanin content related QTLs in rose young leaves. The results showed that two QTL loci were found and located on LG4 and LG6, which explained the phenotypic variation of 16.08 and 17.60%, respectively. A total of 24 anthocyanin metabolism related genes were identified. This study preliminarily revealed the genetic mechanism of rose leaf colors, and provided a new idea for shortening the breeding cycle of modern roses.