Genotypic diversity and genome-wide association study of phosphorus content, amylose content, pasting, and textural properties of potato starch

Daraz Ahmad; Lin Zhang; Yan Gao; Yaqi Hu; Bowen Deng; Chuan Tong; Jinsong Bao

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.123956

Genotypic diversity and genome-wide association study of phosphorus content, amylose content, pasting, and textural properties of potato starch

Carbohydr Polym. 2025 Nov 1:367:123956. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.123956. Epub 2025 Jun 25.

Authors

Daraz Ahmad¹, Lin Zhang², Yan Gao³, Yaqi Hu¹, Bowen Deng², Chuan Tong⁴, Jinsong Bao⁵

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Science of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
² Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Science of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China.
³ Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China.
⁴ College of Food Science and Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China. Electronic address: chuantong@hotmail.com.
⁵ Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Nuclear Agricultural Science of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Hainan Institute, Zhejiang University, Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Yazhou District, Sanya 572025, China. Electronic address: jsbao@zju.edu.cn.

PMID: 40817514
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.123956

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a globally important food crop, with starch being a key component influencing its functional, economic, and nutritional value. This study examined the genotypic diversity and genome-wide associations of phosphorus content (PC), apparent amylose content (AAC), pasting, and textural properties of starch across 102 potato accessions grown in two environments. Significant genetic variation was observed in PC (337.1-997.6 ppm) and AAC (23.7-34.1 %) in two environments, but AAC exhibited more stability. Wide variation was also observed in the starch pasting and textural traits. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified 74 significant loci distributed across all 12 chromosomes, associated with key traits such as peak viscosity, setback, hardness, and gumminess. Some loci had pleiotropic effects on the PC, pasting, and textural properties. These loci were located near genes involved in starch biosynthesis and metabolism, including starch branching enzyme (SBE), glucan water dikinase (GWD), starch synthase (SS), alpha-glucan phosphorylase (PHO), and phosphoglucomutase (PGM), highlighting their critical roles in regulating starch functionality. This study provides valuable insights into the genetic architecture of starch-related traits and identifies molecular targets for breeding programs aimed at improving starch quality and functionality in potato.

Keywords: Genetic diversity; Genome-wide association study; Pasting properties; Potato starch; Textural properties.

MeSH terms

Amylose* / analysis
Amylose* / chemistry
Amylose* / genetics
Genetic Variation*
Genome-Wide Association Study
Genotype
Phosphorus* / analysis
Quantitative Trait Loci
Solanum tuberosum* / chemistry
Solanum tuberosum* / genetics
Solanum tuberosum* / metabolism
Starch* / chemistry
Starch* / genetics
Starch* / metabolism

Substances

Amylose
Phosphorus
Starch