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Identification and validation of stable quantitative trait loci for grain filling rate in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

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We identified and validated two stable grain filling rate (GFR) quantitative trait loci (QTL) in wheat that positively influenced several yield-related traits. Among them, QGfr.sicau-7D.1 was a novel GFR QTL.

Abstract

The grain filling rate (GFR) plays a crucial role in determining grain yield. To advance the current understanding of the genetic characteristics underlying the GFR in common wheat, three recombinant inbred line populations were used to map and validate GFR quantitative trait loci (QTL). Using a high-density genetic linkage map, 10 GFR QTL were detected. They were located on chromosomes 2D, 4A, 4B, 5B, 6D, 7A and 7D, explained 4.99–12.62% of the phenotypic variation. Two of them, QGfr.sicau-6D and QGfr.sicau-7D.1, were detected in all four environments tested and their genetic effect was validated by closely linked kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers in different genetic backgrounds. The effects of these two GFR QTL on other yield-related traits were also estimated. QGfr.sicau-6D had a significant positive influence (p < 0.01) on thousand kernel weight, kernel width, kernel volume, and kernel surface area. QGfr.sicau-7D.1 had a significant positive influence (p < 0.01) on thousand kernel weight and kernel length. Furthermore, QGfr.sicau-7D.1 was a completely novel QTL for GFR; several genes associated with grain growth and development were predicted in its physical interval. These results will facilitate molecular marker-assisted selection of wheat with high-confidence QTL for GFR and fine mapping of genes associated with GFR, thereby contributing to yield improvement.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91731305 and 31771794), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFD0101004 and 2017YFD0100900), the outstanding Youth Foundation of the Department of Science and Technology of Sichuan Province (2016JQ0040), the Key Technology Research and Development Program of the Department of Science and Technology of Sichuan Province (2016NZ0057), and the International Science & Technology Cooperation Program of the Bureau of Science and Technology of Chengdu China (No. 2015DFA306002015-GH03-00008-HZ).

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  1. Yu Lin and Xiaojun Jiang contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China

    Jian Ma, Yuming Wei, Youliang Zheng & Yaxi Liu

  2. Triticeae Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China

    Yu Lin, Xiaojun Jiang, Yang Tao, Xilan Yang, Zhiqiang Wang, Fangkun Wu, Shihang Liu, Caixia Li, Mei Deng, Jian Ma, Yuming Wei, Youliang Zheng & Yaxi Liu

  3. College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China

    Guangdeng Chen

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  1. Yu Lin
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Contributions

YL drafted and revised the manuscript, and contributed to data and QTL analysis. XJJ and YT drafted and revised the manuscript. XLY conducted data analysis. ZQW contributed to QTL analysis. FKW, SHL, and CXL performed the phenotypic evaluation and helped with data analysis. MD, JM and GDC helped to draft the manuscript. YMW participated in the design of the study. YLZ coordinated the study and helped to draft the manuscript. YXL designed andcoordinated this study and revised the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yaxi Liu.

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Communicated by Evans Lagudah.

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Lin, Y., Jiang, X., Tao, Y. et al. Identification and validation of stable quantitative trait loci for grain filling rate in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Theor Appl Genet 133, 2377–2385 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-020-03605-0

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