Genome-wide association study and linkage mapping reveal TaqW-6B associated with water-extractable arabinoxylan content in wheat grain.

KEY MESSAGE: A novel QTL, TaqW-6B of water-extractable arabinoxylan content in the wheat grain on chromosome 6BL was identified and fine mapped in a narrow region 3.8 Mb. Water-extractable arabinoxylan (WE-AX), an important component of hemicellulose, is associated with various abundant health benefits. In this study, QTLs for WE-AX content were detected in two populations: (1) a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population with 164 lines derived from a cross between Avocet and Chilero (AC population) genotyped with diversity array technology (DArT), and (2) a natural population of 243 varieties (CH population) genotyped with the Axiom wheat 660 K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. A stable QTL Qwe-ax.haust-6B, explaining 8.51-15.59% of the phenotypic variance, was mapped in the physical interval 459.38-572.09 Mb on the long arm of chromosome 6B in the AC population, tightly linked with DArT markers 3,944,740 and 4,991,038 under three experimental conditions. The Qwe-ax.haust-6B was further narrowed down to be delimited in the physical interval 516.47-571.58 Mb on chromosome 6BL, explaining 5.86-16.27% of the phenotypic variance in the CH population. Furthermore, we developed high-throughput kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers to reconstruct the genetic linkage map in the AC population, and Qwe-ax.haust-6B was fine mapped into a narrow region named TaqW-6B, which was compressed between KASP-6B-3 and KASP-6B-6 at a physical distance of 3.8 Mb. In the meanwhile, the markers were also validated in a natural population of 160 wheat lines (NP population). Consequently, this study is of great importance to provide the theoretical basis for cloning the key gene and developing functional markers for molecular breeding.

Identification and validation of new quantitative trait loci for spike-related traits in two RIL populations.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important cereal crops for ensuring food security worldwide. Identification of major quantitative trait loci (QTL) for spike-related traits is important for improvement of yield potential in wheat breeding. In this study, by using the wheat 55K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and diversity array technology (DArT), two recombinant inbred line populations derived from crosses avocet/chilero and avocet/huites were used to map QTL for kernel number per spike (KNS), total spikelet number per spike (TSS), fertile spikelet number per spike (FSS), and spike compactness (SC). Forty-two QTLs were identified on chromosomes 2A (4), 2B (3), 3A (2), 3B (7), 5A (11), 6A (4), 6B, and 7A (10), explaining 3.13-21.80% of the phenotypic variances. Twelve QTLs were detected in multi-environments on chromosomes 2A, 3B (2), 5A (4), 6A (3), 6B, and 7A, while four QTL clusters were detected on chromosomes 3A, 3B, 5A, and 7A. Two stable and new QTL clusters, QKns/Tss/Fss/SC.haust-5A and QKns/Tss/Fss.haust-7A, were detected in the physical intervals of 547.49-590.46 Mb and 511.54-516.15 Mb, accounting for 7.53-14.78% and 7.01-20.66% of the phenotypic variances, respectively. High-confidence annotated genes for QKns/Tss/Fss/SC.haust-5A and QKns/Tss/Fss.haust-7A were more highly expressed in spike development. The results provide new QTL and molecular markers for marker-assisted breeding in wheat. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-023-01401-4.

Pleiotropic effect analysis and marker development for grain zinc and iron concentrations in spring wheat.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the main food crops in the world and a primary source of zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) in the human body. The genetic mechanisms underlying related traits have been clarified, thereby providing a molecular theoretical foundation for the development of germplasm resources. In this study, a total of 23,536 high-quality DArT markers was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) of grain Zn (GZn) and grain Fe (GFe) concentrations in recombinant inbred lines crossed by Avocet/Chilero. A total of 17 QTLs was located on chromosomes 1BL, 2BL, 3BL, 4AL, 4BS, 5AL, 5DL, 6AS, 6BS, 6DS, and 7AS accounting for 0.38-16.62% of the phenotypic variance. QGZn.haust-4AL, QGZn.haust-7AS.1, and QGFe.haust-6BS were detected on chromosomes 4AL, 6BS, and 7AS, accounting for 10.63-16.62% of the phenotypic variance. Four stable QTLs, QGZn.haust-4AL, QGFe.haust-1BL, QGFe.haust-4AL, and QGFe.haust-5DL, were located on chromosomes 1BL, 4AL, and 5DL. Three pleiotropic effects loci for GZn and GFe concentrations were located on chromosomes 1BL, 4AL, and 5DL. Two high-throughput Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR markers were developed by closely linking single-nucleotide polymorphisms on chromosomes 4AL and 5DL, which were validated by a germplasm panel. Therefore, it is the most important that quantitative trait loci and KASP marker for grain zinc and iron concentrations were developed for utilizing in marker-assisted breeding and biofortification of wheat grain in breeding programs.

Integrated genome-wide association study and QTL mapping reveals qSa-3A associated with English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) resistance in wheat.

BACKGROUND: The English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), is a devastating pest impacts yield and quality in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Breeding resistant wheat varieties and detecting resistance genes are important strategies to control aphid. RESULTS: In this study, we evaluated the number of aphids per spike, the rate of thousand kernel weight decrease and aphid index based on three classic resistance mechanisms (antibiosis, tolerance and antixenosis), and detected SNPs/QTLs for resistance to S. avenae in a natural population of 163 varieties with 20 689 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 164 lines with 3627 diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers. Results showed that 83 loci significantly associated with S. avenae antibiosis and 182 loci significantly associated with S. avenae tolerance were detected by genome-wide association study (GWAS), explaining 6.47-15.82% and 8.36-35.61% of the phenotypic variances, respectively. The wsnp_Ku_c4568_8243646 detected in two periods was localized at 34.52 Mb on chromosome 3AS. Then, we confirmed a stable QSa.haust-3A.2 explained 11.19-20.10% of the phenotypic variances in two periods with S. avenae antixenosis in the physical interval of 37.49-37.50 Mb on chromosome 3A in the RIL population. Therefore, a narrow region in the physical interval of 34.52-37.50 Mb on chromosome 3AS was named as qSa-3A, which was a new locus between wsnp_Ku_c4568_8243646 and QSa.haust-3A.2 associated with S. avenae resistance. CONCLUSION: We found qSa-3A was a new locus associated with S. avenae resistance. The results could be applied in gene cloning and genetic improvement of S. avenae resistance in wheat. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

QTL cluster analysis and marker development for kernel traits based on DArT markers in spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Genetic dissection of yield component traits including kernel characteristics is essential for the continuous improvement in wheat yield. In the present study, one recombinant inbred line (RIL) F6 population derived from a cross between Avocet and Chilero was used to evaluate the phenotypes of kernel traits of thousand-kernel weight (TKW), kernel length (KL), and kernel width (KW) in four environments at three experimental stations during the 2018-2020 wheat growing seasons. The high-density genetic linkage map was constructed with the diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers and the inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM) method to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for TKW, KL, and KW. A total of 48 QTLs for three traits were identified in the RIL population on the 21 chromosomes besides 2A, 4D, and 5B, accounting for 3.00%-33.85% of the phenotypic variances. Based on the physical positions of each QTL, nine stable QTL clusters were identified in the RILs, and among these QTL clusters, TaTKW-1A was tightly linked to the DArT marker interval 3950546-1213099, explaining 10.31%-33.85% of the phenotypic variances. A total of 347 high-confidence genes were identified in a 34.74-Mb physical interval. TraesCS1A02G045300 and TraesCS1A02G058400 were among the putative candidate genes associated with kernel traits, and they were expressed during grain development. Moreover, we also developed high-throughput kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers of TaTKW-1A, validated in a natural population of 114 wheat varieties. The study provides a basis for cloning the functional genes underlying the QTL for kernel traits and a practical and accurate marker for molecular breeding.

QTL mapping and genomic prediction of resistance to wheat head blight caused by Fusarium verticillioides.

Fusarium head blight (FHB), is one of the destructive fugue diseases of wheat worldwide caused by the Fusarium verticillioides (F.v). In this study, a population consisting of 262 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from Zhongmai 578 and Jimai 22 was used to map Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) for FHB resistance, with the genotype data using the wheat 50 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. The percentage of symptomatic spikelet (PSS) and the weighted average of PSS (PSSW) were collected for each RIL to represent their resistance to wheat head blight caused by F.v. In total, 22 QTL associated with FHB resistance were identified on chromosomes 1D, 2B, 3B, 4A, 5D, 7A, 7B, and 7D, respectively, from which 10 and 12 QTL were detected from PSS and PSSW respectively, explaining 3.82%-10.57% of the phenotypic variances using the inclusive composite interval mapping method. One novel QTL, Qfhb. haust-4A.1, was identified, explaining 10.56% of the phenotypic variation. One stable QTL, Qfhb. haust-1D.1 was detected on chromosome 1D across multiple environments explaining 4.39%-5.70% of the phenotypic variation. Forty-seven candidate genes related to disease resistance were found in the interval of Qfhb. haust-1D.1 and Qfhb. haust-4A.1. Genomic prediction accuracies were estimated from the five-fold cross-validation scheme ranging from 0.34 to 0.40 for PSS, and from 0.34 to 0.39 for PSSW in in-vivo inoculation treatment. This study provided new insight into the genetic analysis of resistance to wheat head blight caused by F.v, and genomic selection (GS) as a potential approach for improving the resistance of wheat head blight.

QTL mapping and KASP marker development for seed vigor related traits in common wheat.

Seed vigor is an important parameter of seed quality, and identification of seed vigor related genes can provide an important basis for highly efficient molecular breeding in wheat. In the present study, a doubled haploid (DH) population with 174 lines derived from a cross between Yangmai16 and Zhongmai 895 was used to evaluate 10 seed vigor related traits in Luoyang during the 2018-2019 cropping season and in Mengjin and Luoning Counties during 2019-2020 cropping season for three environments. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of 10 seed vigor related traits in the DH population resulted in the discovery/identification of 28 QTLs on chromosomes 2B, 3D, 4B, 4D, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6D, 7A and 7D, explaining 3.6-23.7% of the phenotypic variances. Among them, one QTL cluster for shoot length, root length and vigor index was mapped between AX-89421921 and Rht-D1_SNP on chromosome 4D in the physical intervals of 18.78-19.29 Mb (0.51 Mb), explaining 9.2-20.5% of the phenotypic variances. Another QTL for these traits was identified at the physical position 185.74 Mb on chromosome 5B, which was flanked by AX-111465230 and AX-109519938 and accounted for 8.0-13.3% of the phenotypic variances. Two QTLs for shoot length, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight were identified in the marker intervals of AX-109384026-AX-111120402 and AX-111651800-AX-94443918 on chromosomes 6A and 6B, explaining 8.2-11.7% and 3.6-10.3% of the phenotypic variance, respectively; both alleles for increasing phenotypic values were derived from Yangmai 16. We also developed the KASP markers for the QTL cluster QVI.haust-4D.1/QSL.haust-4D/QRL.haust-4D, and validated in an international panel of 135 wheat accessions. The germplasm, genes and KASP markers were developed for breeders to improve wheat varieties with seed vigor related traits.