Identification of stable QTLs and candidate genes associated with plant height and spike length in common wheat

Abstract

Abstract Three RIL mapping populations derived from bi-parental crosses between a common parental line Roshan (Triticum aestivum L.) and three cultivars: Sabalan, Falat and Superhead. RILs were grown over three years at five separate locations under water stress and well-watered condition. Plant height and spike length were collected at each experiment. Genetic map distances among markers were carried out using DArT markers. Single-environment and multi-environment analyses were performed using inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM). Epistasis and epistasis × environment interactions were also performed through an epistatic QTL analysis in Ici-Mapping 4. Single locus analysis allowed the detection of 32 main effect QTL (M-QTL) in the three populations. Three novel stable and non-epistatic QTL, one QTL for plant height (qPH1D, in Sabalan background) and two QTLs for spike length (qSL1D and qSL1B.3, in Falat and Superhead backgrounds, respectively) were identified. 191 candidate genes were predicted in the physical interval between the flanking markers on chromosomes 1B, 1D and 4B. 20 genes were highlighted as putative candidate genes with probable role in plant height and spike-related traits in wheat. These results would lay a good foundation for fine mapping of QTLs/genes for molecular marker-assisted breeding in wheat in the future.