Unlocking Garlic's Secret to Long-Term Freshness
Garlic, a globally significant food and medicinal crop, suffers major quality loss during storage due to sprouting and decay. In a comprehensive study, researchers evaluated the bulb storability of 501 garlic accessions from 38 countries. Through integrated genome-wide association studies (GWAS), transcriptome sequencing, and cytological observations, the team identified key phenotypic traits, genetic loci, and candidate genes associated with superior storage performance. Notably, 21 candidate genes linked to dormancy regulation, stress response, and nutrient transport were highlighted. This research provides foundational knowledge for molecular breeding of garlic varieties with extended shelf life, aiming to reduce postharvest losses and boost garlic's economic value worldwide.