Genomic dissection of phenological and yield-associated traits in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) using genome-wide association mapping

Abstract Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik. ), a nutrient-rich legume cultivated worldwide, plays a vital role in combating malnutrition and hidden hunger. Understanding the genetic architecture underlying key phenological and agronomic traits in lentil is crucial for accelerating molecular breeding. In this study, genome-wide association mapping was conducted using 142 genetically diverse lentil accessions, evaluated across two field environments over two years. High-throughput sequencing generated 34, 995 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms, which were used for genetic characterization and for the identification of marker-trait associations for phenological and yield-associated traits. Population structure analysis identified three subpopulations (K = 3), with UPGMA clustering showing a similar pattern. Association mapping was performed using multi-locus models and further confirmed through a single-locus generalized linear model. A total of 64 significant associations were identified, of which Chr5₃42836807 and Chr6₂00603138 were consistently detected across all environments for days to 50% flowering. Putative candidate genes located near these phenology-associated loci such as abscisate β-glucosyltransferase, pentatricopeptide repeat proteins, and transcription factors from the MYB, MADS-box, and GRAS families are likely involved in flowering-time regulation in lentil. These findings reveal novel associations between genetic variants and complex traits and identify putative genes that may be exploited in marker-assisted selection and genomic prediction strategies.