Genomic Regions Influencing Preharvest Sprouting Tolerance in Two Doubled-Haploid Wheat Populations (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

The current and projected climate change that is represented by increasing temperatures and humidity levels and irregular rainfall patterns promotes the occurrence of preharvest sprouting (PHS) in wheat. PHS results in significant economic losses, globally, which necessitates the need for high-yielding cultivars with increased PHS tolerance; hence, this study was conducted. The current study evaluated two doubled-haploid (DH) wheat populations of Tugela-Dn × Elands and Elands × Flamink across six environments in the Free State Province of South Africa to select genotypes with increased PHS tolerance and further map the underlying loci. Significant effects of DH lines (194) and environments (6) were observed for PHS tolerance. The results of this study validate previous findings that PHS is only expressed when environmental conditions are conducive. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and silicoDArT markers revealed three additive QTLs with major effects on chromosomes 5B and 7B, and these QTLs were detected more than once, when conditions were favourable. These QTLs explained a phenotypic variation (PVE) varying between 10.08% and 20.30% (LOD = 2.73–3.11). About 16.50% of DH lines performed to the level of Elands (the PHS-tolerant parent) and are recommended for further selection in a pre-breeding or breeding programme. The findings of this study are expected to expedite the on-going breeding efforts for PHS tolerance in winter wheat, which will facilitate the development of PHS-tolerant cultivars adapted to the South African environment.