QTL detection of yield-related traits of cashew

the identification of quantitative trait loci (qtl) and marker-assisted selection with a view to breeding programs have aroused great interest, including for cashew improvement. this study identified qtl for yield-related traits: nut weight, male and hermaphrodite flowers. the traits were evaluated in 71 f1 genotypes of the cross ccp 1001 x cp 96. the methods of interval mapping and multiple qtl mapping were applied to identify qtl. eleven qtl were detected: three for nut weight, four for male flowers and four for hermaphrodite flowers. the qtl accounted for 3.79 to 12.98 % of the total phenotypic variance and had phenotypic effects of -31.81 to 34.25 %. the potential for marker-assisted selection of the qtl hf-2f and hf-3m is great and the phenotypic effects and percentage of phenotypic variation higher than of the others.