Quantitative trait loci analysis of phenolic acids contents in Salvia miltiorrhiza based on genomic simple sequence repeat markers

Phenolic acids are one of the main active components in Salvia miltiorrhiza root, which have been proved to have extensive pharmacological activities. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTL) for phenolic acids contents were identified by a new genetic map constructed based on genomic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The results demonstrated that the map comprised eight linkage groups which were in accord with the haploid chromosome number of S. miltiorrhiza (2n = 2x = 16). The map spanned 397.5 cM with average inter-marker distance as 3.6 cM. A total of six QTL were identified through interval mapping, including three salvianolic acid B (SAB) content-related QTL on linkage group (LG) 7, two lithospermic acid (LA) content markers on LG2 and LG4, as well as one rosmarinic acid (RA) content-linked QTL on LG7. These QTL could be used in marker-assisted breeding for the phenolic acids contents of S. miltiorrhiza.