Identification of QTLs associated with albino plant formation and some new facts concerning green versus albino ratio determinants in triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm.) anther culture

Abstract

Abstract High frequency of albino haploids/doubled haploids (DHs), regenerated in androgenic cultures is one of the major obstacles that limit incorporation of DHs technology into cereal breeding programs. Therefore, quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with albino plant production in triticale anther cultures were analyzed using the population of 90 DH lines derived from F1 cross ‘Saka 3006’ × ‘Modus’. Composite interval mapping (CIM) and single marker analysis (SMA) in Windows QTL Cartographer ver 2.5 were used to localize the major QTLs. CIM method revealed seven QTLs with LOD scores between 2.9 and 5.6 on five chromosomes from B to R subgenomes (3B, 4B, 4R, 5R and 7R). Effects of all QTLs explained 8.3–17.6 % of the phenotypic variation and were confirmed by SMA analysis. Additionally SMA revealed another seven markers on chromosomes: 2AL.2BL, 3B, 2BS.6AL, 2RS.3R and 4R associated with QTL for albino plant regeneration (p < 0.01). The additional experiment with ten DH lines varied significantly in their androgenic responsiveness was conducted to analyze the changes in the level of oxidative stress, antioxidative system activity and endogenous hormonal balance associated with androgenesis-inducing low temperature stress treatment (3 weeks at 4 °C). The correlation analysis between albino/green plant regeneration ability and analyzed traits were performed by using Spearman Rank test (p ≤ 0.05). Revealed associations may suggest that some level of oxidative stress is necessary for transition from a non-photosynthetic proplastids to the functional chloroplasts. On the other hand, the efficient antioxidative enzyme system and endogenous hormonal balance are also very important. Key message Fourteen chromosome regions were indicated to control albino plant formation during triticale anther culture. Additionally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, antioxidative system activity and hormonal balance were discussed as determinants in androgenesis.