Identification of Candidate Gene-Based Markers for Girth Growth in Rubber Trees

Girth growth is an important factor in both latex and timber production of the rubber tree. In this study, we performed candidate gene association mapping for girth growth in rubber trees using intron length polymorphism markers (ILP) in identifying the candidate genes responsible for girth growth. The COBL064_1 marker developed from the candidate gene (COBL4) regulating cellulose deposition and oriented cell expansion in the plant cell wall showed the strongest association with girth growth across two seasons in the Amazonian population and was validated in the breeding lines. We then applied single molecule real-time (SMRT) circular consensus sequencing (CCS) to analyze a wider gene region of the COBL4 to pinpoint the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that best explains the association with the traits. A SNP in the 3' UTR showing linkage disequilibrium with the COBL064_1 most associated with girth growth. This study showed that the cost-effective method of ILP gene-based markers can assist in identification of SNPs in the candidate gene associated with girth growth. The SNP markers identified in this study added useful markers for the improvement of girth growth in rubber tree breeding programs.