Uncovering candidate genes involved in photosynthetic capacity using unexplored genetic variation in Spring Wheat

Abstract

To feed an ever-increasing population we must leverage advances in genomics and phenotyping to harness the variation in wheat breeding populations for traits like photosynthetic capacity which remains unoptimized. Here we survey a diverse set of wheat germplasm containing elite, introgression and synthetic derivative lines uncovering previously uncharacterized variation. We demonstrate how strategic integration of exotic material alleviates the D genome genetic bottleneck in wheat, increasing SNP rate by 62% largely due to Ae. tauschii synthetic wheat donors. Across the panel, 67% of the Ae. tauschii donor genome is represented as introgressions in elite backgrounds. We show how observed genetic variation together with hyperspectral reflectance data can be used to identify candidate genes for traits relating to photosynthetic capacity using association analysis. This demonstrates the value of genomic methods in uncovering hidden variation in wheat and how that variation can assist breeding efforts and increase our understanding of complex traits.

Effect of Flowering Time-Related Genes on Biomass, Harvest Index, and Grain Yield in CIMMYT Elite Spring Bread Wheat

“…With the focus on performing genetic studies for the agronomic and physiological traits related to the yield potential [ 30 , 31 ], both HiBAP panels were phenotyped for a series of sink- and source-related traits. We estimated the effect of the two Ppd response genes TaTOE-B1 and TaFT3-B1 on several of these traits.…”

“…Each HIBAP panel was evaluated for a series of agronomic and physiological traits using an alpha (0,1) experimental design under full irrigation [ 30 , 31 ]. The HIBAP I design for year 1 comprised 15 blocks of size 10, while, for the other trials (HIBAP I year 2 and HIBAP II both years), the experimental design had 30 blocks with 5 plots per block.…”

Gene‐based mapping of trehalose biosynthetic pathway genes reveals association with source‐ and sink‐related yield traits in a spring wheat panel

“…Enrichment capture and bioinformatics analysis were carried out as per Joynson et al, ( 2021 ). Briefly, DNA was extracted from flag leaf material from each panel member.…”

Improving Photosynthetic Metabolism for Crop Yields: What Is Going to Work?

“…Photoprotection may be particularly beneficial in very sunny environments. In a recent study involving the wheat high biomass association panel (HiBAP) conducted in Mexico, Joynson et al ( 2021 ) showed marker-trait associations relating to leaf pigment content that could prevent the propagation of free radicals to improve radiation use efficiency and yield. Selection or genetic intervention in photoprotection may not involve large interactions with the whole system and, therefore, may be relatively straightforward compared with other strategies.…”