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

Authors: ECHEVERRY-SOLARTE, MORGAN - North Dakota State University; KUMAR, AJAY - North Dakota State University; KIANIAN, SHAHRYAR - North Dakota State University; SIMSEK, SENAY - North Dakota State University; ALAMRI, MOHAMMED - King Saud University; MANTOVANI, EDER - North Dakota State University; MCCLEAN, PHILLIP - North Dakota State University; DECKARD, EDWARD - North Dakota State University; ELIAS, ELIAS - North Dakota State University; SCHATZ, BLAINE - North Dakota State University; Xu, Steven; MERGOUM, MOHAMED - North Dakota State University

Submitted to: Theoretical and Applied Genetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/4/2015
Publication Date: 3/5/2015
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/60996
Citation: Echeverry-Solarte, M., Kumar, A., Kianian, S., Simsek, S., Alamri, M.S., Mantovani, E.E., Mcclean, P.E., Deckard, E.L., Elias, E., Schatz, B., Xu, S.S., Mergoum, M. 2015. New QTL alleles for quality-related traits in spring wheat revealed by RIL population derived from supernumerary x non-supernumerary spikelet genotypes. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 128:893-912.

Interpretive Summary: Identifying new genes in nonnative germplasm is necessary for further improvement of quality traits in wheat. In the present study, a population of inbred wheat lines developed from a cross between an elite wheat line (WCB414) and a nonnative line with supernumerary (or branched) spikelets was used to identify genes for eight quality traits. From genetic analysis and gene mapping, we identified a total of 69 genes, including 11, 10, 11, 6, and 31 genes controlling kernel weight, kernel volume weight, grain protein content, percent of flour extraction, and dough strength, respectively. These genes were located on 18 different chromosomes except for 4D, 5D, and 6D. Thirteen of these genes have large effect on the traits. Among the genes controlling supernumerary spikelets identified in this population, nine spike-related and 10 for agronomic traits were co-located with the 69 quality genes. We found that grain protein content and dough strength-related traits were positively correlated with supernumerary spikelets. Indeed, several genes for quality traits were co-located with the genes controlling supernumerary spikelets. In this population, the nonnative parent contributed more genes for quality traits demonstrating the suitability of germplasm with supernumerary spikelets to improve quality traits in wheat.

Technical Abstract: Identifying new quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and alleles in exotic germplasm is paramount for further improvement of quality traits in wheat. In the present study, a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from a cross between 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 thousand 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 (R2 = 7.2%-17.1%); 10 QTLs for KVW (R2 = 6.7%-22.5%); 11 QTLs for GPC (R2 = 4.7%-16.9%); six QTLs for FE (R2 = 4.8%-19%) and 31 QTLs for mixograph-related traits (R2 =3.2%-41.2%). Among QTLs identified in this population for SS, nine spike-related and 10 agronomic traits were co-located with the 69 quality QTLs. Several QTLs shared genetic regions suggesting pleiotropic effects or closely 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.