QTL detection of seven quality traits in wheat using two related recombinant inbred line populations

Abstract

Grain protein content (GPC) and gluten quality are the most important factors determining the end-use quality of wheat for pasta-making. Both GPC and gluten quality are considered to be polygenic traits influenced by environmental factors and other agricultural practices. Two related F 8:9 recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations were generated to localise genetic factors controlling seven quality traits: GPC, wet gluten content (WGC), flour whiteness (FW), kernel hardness (KH), water absorption (Abs), dough development time (DDT) and dough stability time (DST). These lines were derived by crossing Weimai 8 and Jimai 20 (WJ) and by crossing Weimai 8 and Yannong 19 (WY). In total, WJ comprised 485 lines, while WY comprised 229 lines. Data on these seven quality traits were collected from each line in five different environments. Up to 85 putative QTLs for the seven traits were detected in WJ and 65 putative QTLs were detected in WY. Of these QTLs, 31 QTLs (36.47%) were detected in at least two trials in WJ, while 24 QTLs (36.92%) were detected in at least two trials in WY. Three QTLs from WJ and 25 from WY accounted for more than 10% of the phenotypic variance. The total 150 QTLs were spread throughout all 21 wheat chromosomes. Of these, at least thirteen pairwise were common to both populations, accounting for 20.00 and 15.29% of the total QTLs in WJ and WY, respectively. A major QTL for GPC, accounting for 53.04% of the phenotypic variation, was detected on chromosome 5A. A major QTL for WGC also shared this interval, explained more than 36% of the phenotypic variation, and was significant in two environments. Though colocated QTLs were common, every trait had its unique control mechanism, even for two closely related traits. Due to the different sizes of the two line populations, we also assessed the effects of population size on the efficiency and precision of QTL detection. In sum, this study will enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of these seven pivotal quality traits and facilitate the breeding of improved wheat varieties.

Interactions between Glu-1 and Glu-3 loci and associations of selected molecular markers with quality traits in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) DH lines

“…The interaction of allelic effect with environments was significant ( P  < 0.001) for four QTLs (on 1A, 1B, 2B ,and 5D). This finding, as well as results from other studies, indicate that the Ha locus is important for grain hardness but that grain hardness is influenced also by other loci located on all wheat chromosomes (Groos et al 2004; Li et al 2012; Tsilo et al 2011; Weightman et al 2008). Our results indicate that selection of wheat for good technological parameters that is only based on molecular markers connected with the Ha locus may be ineffective.…”

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).…”

“…The measurements were calibrated using calibration samples according to the manufacturer's instructions. Previous studies have confirmed that NIRS is a powerful method for measuring the quality traits of wheat; that it is rapid, effective, and convenient compared with traditional methods; and that it is appropriate for use in wheat breeding programs designed to improve quality-related traits (Sourdille et al 1996;Perretant et al 2000;Turner et al 2004;Kuchel et al 2006;Nelson et al 2006;Li et al 2009Li et al , 2012Mann et al 2009;Suprayogi et al 2009;Sun et al 2010;Asif et al 2015).…”

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

“…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.…”

“…Moreover, wheat markets are determined based on the amount of protein in the grain (Regional Quality Report 2011). Several studies reported the existence of genes associated with grain protein content across all wheat chromosomes (Galande et al 2001; Gross et al 2003; Prasad et al 2003; Kulwal et al 2005; Huang et al 2006; Kunert et al 2007; Mann et al 2009; Tsilo et al 2010; Zhao et al 2010; Li et al 2012a and b; Carter et al 2012). Recently, Tiwari et al (2016) reported a major QTL on chromosome 1A associated with grain protein content that account for 16.2 to 17.7% of the PV across environments using a doubled-haploid population comprised of 138 segregants from a cross between Berkut and Krichauff cultivars.…”