Variance, Inter-Trait Correlation, Heritability, and Marker-Trait Association of Rubber Yield-Related Characteristics in Taraxacum kok-saghyz

Rubber dandelion ( Taraxacum kok-saghyz or TK) is a potential industrial crop species that can produce high-quality natural rubber in its roots. The present study estimated trait variance, inter-trait correlation, and entry-mean heritability for rubber yield-related traits and analyzed associations between these traits and 42 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. A trial was conducted at three environments to assess a biparental progeny of 66 F 1 full-sibs, in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replicates. Significant correlations, broad ranges of variation, and significant genotypic variance components were identified for five measured phenotypic traits. Moderate broad-sense heritability on an entry-mean heritability estimates (0.51–0.61) were obtained for five rubber yield-related traits based on a 1-year trial. However, the broad-sense heritability in general sense ranged from 0.09 to 0.15 depending on the trait. Two linkage groups were identified. Association analysis identified seven significant marker-trait gene associations, and only one marker was related to two traits. The implications of trait correlations and heritability for selection and improvement are discussed.