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Considering causal genes in the genetic dissection of kernel traits in common wheat

  • Plant Genetics • Original Paper
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Abstract

Genetic factors controlling thousand-kernel weight (TKW) were characterized for their association with other seed traits, including kernel width, kernel length, ratio of kernel width to kernel length (KW/KL), kernel area, and spike number per m2 (SN). For this purpose, a genetic map was established utilizing a doubled haploid population derived from a cross between German winter wheat cultivars Pamier and Format. Association studies in a diversity panel of elite cultivars supplemented genetic analysis of kernel traits. In both populations, genomic signatures of 13 candidate genes for TKW and kernel size were analyzed. Major quantitative trait loci (QTL) for TKW were identified on chromosomes 1B, 2A, 2D, and 4D, and their locations coincided with major QTL for kernel size traits, supporting the common belief that TKW is a function of other kernel traits. The QTL on chromosome 2A was associated with TKW candidate gene TaCwi-A1 and the QTL on chromosome 4D was associated with dwarfing gene Rht-D1. A minor QTL for TKW on chromosome 6B coincided with TaGW2-6B. The QTL for kernel dimensions that did not affect TKW were detected on eight chromosomes. A major QTL for KW/KL located at the distal tip of chromosome arm 5AS is being reported for the first time. TaSus1-7A and TaSAP-A1, closely linked to each other on chromosome 7A, could be related to a minor QTL for KW/KL. Genetic analysis of SN confirmed its negative correlation with TKW in this cross. In the diversity panel, TaSus1-7A was associated with TKW. Compared to the Pamier/Format bi-parental population where TaCwi-A1a was associated with higher TKW, the same allele reduced grain yield in the diversity panel, suggesting opposite effects of TaCwi-A1 on these two traits.

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Acknowledgments

The excellent technical assistance from Petra Greim and the working group Wheat and Oat Breeding Research of the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture is highly appreciated. We thank Lantmännen SW Seed Hadmersleben GmbH, Secobra Saatzucht GmbH, and Research Station Roggenstein of the Technische Universität München for growing the Pamier/Format DH population.

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  1. Institute for Crop Science and Plant Breeding, Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture, Am Gereuth 8, 85354, Freising, Germany

    Volker Mohler, Theresa Albrecht, Adelheid Castell, Manuela Diethelm, Günther Schweizer & Lorenz Hartl

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  1. Volker Mohler
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  2. Theresa Albrecht
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  3. Adelheid Castell
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  4. Manuela Diethelm
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  5. Günther Schweizer
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Correspondence to Volker Mohler.

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The CORNET project IGF-Nr. 57 EN (Efficient Wheat) was supported by the German Federation of Industrial Research Associations (AiF) and German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Technology.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Communicated by: Andrzej Górny

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Mohler, V., Albrecht, T., Castell, A. et al. Considering causal genes in the genetic dissection of kernel traits in common wheat. J Appl Genetics 57, 467–476 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-016-0349-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-016-0349-2

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