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Deciphering trait diversity in rainy-season onion: a comprehensive evaluation of morphological; nutritional; biochemical; and molecular attributes
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DOI：10.3389/fpls.2026.1900180.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
The present study employed a comprehensive multi-traits-based approach to evaluate thirty-one onion genotypes for morphological; biochemical; mineral; and molecular traits with the objective of identifying nutritionally superior genotypes suitable for rainy-season cultivation. Substantial genotypic variability was observed for major quality traits; including total phenols (172.76–446.73 mg/100 g FW); flavonoids (138.40–627.07 mg/kg FW); total antioxidants (FRAP) (1284.15–5538.31 µmol/100 g FW); pyruvic acid (1.33–11.65 µmol/g FW); total sugars (2.42–6.76%); reducing sugars (1.28–3.91%); non-reducing sugars (0.42–4.86%); total soluble solids (8.3–14.3°Brix); anthocyanin (2.87–44.18 mg/100 g DW); moisture content (85.36–89.13%); dry matter (10.87–14.64%); and mineral composition. Multi-trait donor genotypes combining yield; biochemical and mineral traits were identified through integrated PCA; PCA biplot and clustering analyses; with DOGR-2103 emerging as a key superior genotype. DOGR-2104 and DOGR-2101 also exhibited desirable combinations for yield and quality traits; while DOGR-2119 and DOGR-2114 were associated with quality and mineral traits. SSR marker analysis further identified RHRO-2022–10 and DOGR-2107 as genetically distinct genotypes with potential utility in molecular breeding and hybridization programs. In addition; principal component analysis revealed strong positive associations among sugars; total soluble solids; dry matter; and antioxidant-related traits; indicating their utility in selecting genotypes suitable for enhanced nutritional quality; processing efficiency and storability. In contrast; moisture content exhibited an inverse relationship with most of the quality attributes; highlighting the importance of developing low-moisture and high dry-matter rainy-season genotypes for improved storability and processing quality. Further; the identified trait-specific superior and genetically diverse donors represent valuable breeding foundation for developing nutritionally rich high quality onion cultivars suited to rainy-season. It also highlights the potential of bio-fortification for enhancing market value and consumer preference for both fresh consumption and processing in onion.
Keywords:
genetic diversity
mineral composition
nutritional profiling
bio-fortification
trait-specific breeding
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