Multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) populations were recently developed to allow the high-resolution mapping of quantitative traits. We present a genetic linkage map of an elite but highly diverse eight-founder MAGIC population in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Our MAGIC population is composed of 394 F6:8 recombinant inbred lines lacking significant signatures of population structure. The linkage map included 5435 SNP markers distributed over 2804 loci and spanning 5230 cM. The analysis of population parameters, including genetic structure, kinship, founder probabilities, and linkage disequilibrium and congruency to other maps indicated appropriate construction of both the population and the genetic map. It was shown that eight-founder MAGIC populations exhibit a greater number of loci and higher recombination rates, especially in the pericentromeric regions, compared to four-founder MAGIC, and biparental populations. In addition, our greatly simplified eight-parental MAGIC mating design with an additional eight-way intercross step was found to be equivalent to a MAGIC design with all 210 possible four-way crosses regarding the levels of missing founder assignments and the number of recombination events. Furthermore, the MAGIC population captured 71.7% of the allelic diversity available in the German wheat breeding gene pool. As a proof of principle, we demonstrated the application of the resource for quantitative trait loci mapping analyzing seedling resistance to powdery mildew. As wheat is a crop with many breeding objectives, this resource will allow scientists and breeders to carry out genetic studies for a wide range of breeder-relevant parameters in a single genetic background and reveal possible interactions between traits of economic importance.

Key message Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of 15 yield component traits in a German multi-founder population identified eight QTL each controlling ≥2 phenotypes, including the genetic loci Rht24, WAPO-A1 and WAPO-B1. Abstract Grain yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a polygenic trait representing the culmination of many developmental processes and their interactions with the environment. Toward maintaining genetic gains in yield potential, ‘reductionist approaches’ are commonly undertaken by which the genetic control of yield components, that collectively determine yield, are established. Here we use an eight-founder German multi-parental wheat population to investigate the genetic control and phenotypic trade-offs between 15 yield components. Increased grains per ear was significantly positively correlated with the number of fertile spikelets per ear and negatively correlated with the number of infertile spikelets. However, as increased grain number and fertile spikelet number per ear were significantly negatively correlated with thousand grain weight, sink strength limitations were evident. Genetic mapping identified 34 replicated quantitative trait loci (QTL) at two or more test environments, of which 24 resolved into eight loci each controlling two or more traits—termed here ‘multi-trait QTL’ (MT-QTL). These included MT-QTL associated with previously cloned genes controlling semi-dwarf plant stature, and with the genetic locus Reduced height 24 (Rht24) that further modulates plant height. Additionally, MT-QTL controlling spikelet number traits were located to chromosome 7A encompassing the gene WHEAT ORTHOLOG OF APO1 (WAPO-A1), and to its homoeologous location on chromosome 7B containing WAPO-B1. The genetic loci identified in this study, particularly those that potentially control multiple yield components, provide future opportunities for the targeted investigation of their underlying genes, gene networks and phenotypic trade-offs, in order to underpin further genetic gains in yield.

Bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the world’s most important crop species. The development of new varieties resistant to multiple pathogens is an ongoing task in wheat breeding, especially in times of increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices. Despite this, little is known about the relations between various fungal disease resistances at the genetic level, and the possible consequences for wheat breeding strategies. As a first step to fill this gap, we analyzed the genetic relations of resistance to the three fungal diseases – powdery mildew (PM), septoria tritici blotch (STB), and tan spot (TS) – using a winter wheat multiparent advanced generation intercross population. Six, seven, and nine QTL for resistance to PM, STB, and TS, respectively, were genetically mapped. Additionally, 15 QTL were identified for the three agro-morphological traits plant height, ear emergence time, and leaf angle distribution. Our results suggest that resistance to STB and TS on chromosome 2B is conferred by the same genetic region. Furthermore, we identified two genetic regions on chromosome 1AS and 7AL, which are associated with all three diseases, but not always in a synchronal manner. Based on our results, we conclude that parallel marker-assisted breeding for resistance to the fungal diseases PM, STB, and TS appears feasible. Knowledge of the genetic co-localization of alleles with contrasting effects for different diseases, such as on chromosome 7AL, allows the trade-offs of selection of these regions to be better understood, and ultimately determined at the genic level.

Key message We found two loci on chromosomes 2BS and 6AL that significantly contribute to stripe rust resistance in current European winter wheat germplasm. Abstract Stripe or yellow rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia striiformis Westend f. sp. tritici, is one of the most destructive wheat diseases. Sustainable management of wheat stripe rust can be achieved through the deployment of rust resistant cultivars. To detect effective resistance loci for use in breeding programs, an association mapping panel of 230 winter wheat cultivars and breeding lines from Northern and Central Europe was employed. Genotyping with the Illumina® iSelect® 25 K Infinium® single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping array yielded 8812 polymorphic markers. Structure analysis revealed two subpopulations with 92 Austrian breeding lines and cultivars, which were separated from the other 138 genotypes from Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, and Switzerland. Genome-wide association study for adult plant stripe rust resistance identified 12 SNP markers on six wheat chromosomes which showed consistent effects over several testing environments. Among these, two marker loci on chromosomes 2BS (RAC875_c1226_652) and 6AL (Tdurum_contig29607_413) were highly predictive in three independent validation populations of 1065, 1001, and 175 breeding lines. Lines with the resistant haplotype at both loci were nearly free of stipe rust symptoms. By using mixed linear models with those markers as fixed effects, we could increase predictive ability in the three populations by 0.13–0.46 compared to a standard genomic best linear unbiased prediction approach. The obtained results facilitate an efficient selection for stripe rust resistance against the current pathogen population in the Northern and Central European winter wheat gene pool.