New QTL alleles for quality-related traits in spring wheat revealed by RIL population derived from supernumerary × non-supernumerary spikelet genotypes

Abstract

A population developed from an exotic line with supernumerary spikelets was genetically dissected for eight quality traits, discovering new genes/alleles with potential use in wheat breeding programs. Identifying new QTLs and alleles in exotic germplasm is paramount for further improvement of quality traits in wheat. In the present study, an RIL population developed from a cross of an elite wheat line (WCB414) and an exotic genotype with supernumerary spikelets (SS) was used to identify QTLs and new alleles for eight quality traits. Composite interval mapping for 1,000 kernels weight (TKW), kernel volume weight (KVW), grain protein content (GPC), percent of flour extraction (FE) and four mixograph-related traits identified a total of 69 QTLs including 19 stable QTLs. These QTLs were located on 18 different chromosomes (except 4D, 5D, and 6D). Thirteen of these QTLs explained more than 15% of phenotypic variation (PV) and were considered as major QTLs. In this study, we identified 11 QTLs for TKW (R (2) = 7.2-17.1 %), 10 for KVW (R (2) = 6.7-22.5%), 11 for GPC (R (2) = 4.7-16.9%), 6 for FE (R (2) = 4.8-19%) and 31 for mixograph-related traits (R (2) = 3.2-41.2%). In this population, several previously identified QTLs for SS, nine spike-related and ten agronomic traits were co-located with the quality QTLs, suggesting pleiotropic effects or close linkage among loci. The traits GPC and mixogram-related traits were positively correlated with SS. Indeed, several loci for quality traits were co-located with QTL for SS. The exotic parent contributed positive alleles that increased PV of the traits at 56% of loci demonstrating the suitability of germplasm with SS to improve quality traits in wheat.

Deciphering the Genetics of Major End-Use Quality Traits in Wheat

“…In contrast to our results, Tsilo et al (2011) and Prashant et al (2015) found high broad-sense heritability for most of the end-use quality traits in wheat. Similarly, the current study, Echeverry-Solarte et al (2015) reported very high broad-sense heritability for flour extraction and MMLPT.…”

“…Performing these evaluations at a late stage in the breeding program often results in ostensibly promising wheat lines with high yield and resistance to diseases that cannot be released due to poor end-use quality traits, such as a weak performance for milling parameters and baking properties. To address these challenges, many studies have been conducted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) and associated markers for end-use quality traits, with the aim to use such markers in marker-assisted selection (MAS) to improve quality traits in early generations of the breeding program (Campbell et al 2001; Groos et al 2003; Prasad et al 2003; Breseghello et al 2005; Kulwal et al 2005; Arbelbide and Bernardo 2006; Breseghello and Sorrells 2006; Huang et al 2006; Kuchel et al 2006; Kunert et al 2007; Mann et al 2009; Tsilo et al 2010; Zhao et al 2010; Carter et al 2012; Li et al 2012a; Simons et al 2012; El-Feki et al 2013; Mergoum et al 2013; Deng et al 2015; Echeverry-Solarte et al 2015; Tiwari et al 2016; Jin et al 2016). It should be mentioned that MAS for end-use quality traits would be commenced from F 5 generation onwards if a single seed decent (SSD) method is used to develop wheat cultivars.…”

QTL detection for wheat kernel size and quality and the responses of these traits to low nitrogen stress

“…Numerous studies have identified associations between HMW and LMW glutenin subunits and wheat quality (Payne 1987;Perretant et al 2000;Sourdille et al 2003;McCartney et al 2006;Nelson et al 2006;Zhang et al 2008;Li et al 2009;Mann et al 2009;Suprayogi et al 2009;Reif et al 2011;Li et al 2012;Echeverry-Solarte et al 2015). In this study, KN9204 and J411 differed at two HMW glutenin loci (Glu-A1 and Glu-B1) and two LMW glutenin loci (Glu-A3 and Glu-B3).…”

“…However, an increase in yield often results in a decrease in kernel quality parameters, such as a lower grain protein content (GPC), because of a dilution effect (Suprayogi et al 2009). Notably, previous studies have shown that quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for yield are not always negatively correlated with quality (Sourdille et al 2003;Huang et al 2006;Kunert et al 2007;Echeverry-Solarte et al 2015). Therefore, knowledge of the genetic basis of kernel size and its correlation with quality is valuable for the genetic improvement of both yield and quality.…”

“…KH, one of the most important determinants of milling yield, has profound effects on the milling, baking and enduse quality of bread wheat ). Numerous studies have identified an association between high-and lowmolecular-weight (HMW/LMW) glutenin loci (Glu-A1, Glu-B1, and Glu-D1/Glu-A3, , and wheat quality, and these loci are located on the long/short arms of the homoeologous group 1 chromosomes (Perretant et al 2000;Sourdille et al 2003;Kuchel et al 2006;Li et al 2009;Mann et al 2009;Suprayogi et al 2009;Sun et al 2010;Reif et al 2011;Echeverry-Solarte et al 2015). In addition, the Ha locus on chromosome 5DS and the Gpc-B1 locus on chromosome 6BS have also been reported to exhibit strong correlations with processing and end-use quality (Sourdille et al 1996(Sourdille et al , 2003Perretant et al 2000;Campbell et al 2001;Igrejas et al 2002;Turner et al 2004;Nelson et al 2006;Kunert et al 2007;Li et al 2009;Sun et al 2010).…”