Abstract
'Qing Zhou Mi' (QZM) is a typical representative landrace of the late-ripening, high-resistance, and small-fruited peaches found in northern China. However, its genetic information has not been systematically analyzed. In this study, we sequenced and de novo assembled the QZM genome. The chromosome-level genome was 252.39 Mb in size, with a contig N50 of 24.35 Mb. Comparative genomic analysis found a total of 9.24 Mb unique fragments and 418 genes in the QZM genome, most of which were associated with resistance. Compared with the genomes of some early maturing peach accessions, the differentiation ability of the ACC oxidase and ethylene receptor gene families related to ethylene synthesis and transport in QZM was significantly weakened. In the genome-wide association study, we identified PpNAC1 as a major gene regulating the late-ripening trait of QZM. In addition, we discovered a novel locus associated with fruit weight and focused on a candidate gene in its regulation, PpLOB33. The findings of this study can serve as a foundation for further research on the genetic basis underlying the core traits of QZM, providing precise targets for molecular breeding.