A Meta-Analysis of Quantitative Trait Loci for Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Tetraploid Cotton

Cotton as a crop is grown in arid and semi-arid regions where stress environmental conditions such as drought and salinity are often encountered, which prohibit the cotton plant from reaching its maximum genetic potential in productivity. The two tetraploid species, Gosypium hirsutum and G. barbadense differ significantly in their responses to abiotic stress conditions. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) for drought and salt tolerance were identified in several mapping populations of tetraploi cotton. A meta-analysis of QTL for abiotic stress tolerance was further performed to identify clusters or hotspots for abiotic stress tolerance. The results will facilitate the understanding of genetic mechanism of abiotic stress tolerance in cotton and marker-assisted selection for abiotic stress tolerant cotton.