背景+问题：Pear is a major fruit tree crop distributed worldwide, yet its breeding is a very time-consuming process.

主要研究：To facilitate molecular breeding and gene identification, here we have performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on eleven fruit traits. 

结果1-GWAS：We identify 37 loci associated with eight fruit quality traits and five loci associated with three fruit phenological traits.

结果2-选择信号：Scans for selective sweeps indicate that traits including fruit stone cell content, organic acid and sugar contents might have been under continuous selection during breeding improvement. 

结果3-石细胞：One candidate gene, PbrSTONE, identified in GWAS, has been functionally verified to be involved in the regulation of stone cell formation, one of the most important fruit quality traits in pear. 

结论：Our study provides insights into the complex fruit related biology and identifies genes controlling important traits in pear through GWAS, which extends the genetic resources and basis for facilitating molecular breeding in perennial trees.

 摘 要 

梨是世界范围上广泛种植的果树作物，但梨树育种是一个非常耗时的过程。为了加速梨树的分子育种和基因鉴定，本文中作者进行了11个梨果实性状的全基因组关联分析。作者鉴定到了与8个果实质量相关的37个位点，以及与3个果实物候性状相关的5个位点。基因组上选择清除信号检测显示，在梨树的育种改良过程中，与果实石细胞含量、有机酸以及糖含量相关的性状可能受到了持续的选择。作者通过GWAS鉴定到了一个候选基因PbrSTONE，通过功能验证证实了该基因参与了石细胞形成的调控，而梨果实中石细胞含量是最重要的果实质量性状之一。本文的研究结果为梨果实复杂的生物学提供了新的视野，并通过GWAS鉴定了梨树重要性状相关的基因，这为加速多年生树木的分子育种提供了遗传资源和基础。