Genetic variations in FAD3 and its influence on agronomic traits and fatty acid composition in perilla germplasm

In this study, we explored the relationship between agronomic characteristics and fatty acid composition in perilla germplasm and examined the potential effects of genetic variations in the FAD3 gene on these traits. Our analysis involved correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering, and path analysis. We discovered the days to flowering (DTF), days to maturing (DTM) number of branches (NB), and stearic acid (SA) content were positively correlated with each other. Conversely, oleic acid (OA), linoleic acid (LA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) showed negative correlations among themselves. We observed significant differences in agronomic traits and fatty acid composition based on the color of the perilla seed hull, indicating the influence of genetic factors on these traits. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variation at the 182 bp position in the FAD3 gene, characterized by a homozygous G base, was significantly associated with a decrease in LA proportion. This is in line with the known biochemical role of FAD3 in fatty acid desaturation. Interestingly, this SNP was also correlated with an increase in NB, suggesting that FAD3 may have pleiotropic effects on both agronomic traits and fatty acid composition. However, SNPs at the 596 bp and 599 bp positions in the FAD3 gene did not show clear patterns, suggesting potential influences from other genetic or environmental factors. These findings offer valuable insights into the genetic and phenotypic interactions in perilla, highlighting the importance of FAD3 variation. This knowledge can aid in the development of targeted breeding and selection strategies for perilla cultivars, optimizing both agronomic performance and nutritional quality. Further research is required to clarify the precise mechanisms of FAD3 and its impact on perilla traits.