Allelic variation and differential expression of VRN-A1 in durum wheat genotypes varying in vernalization response

JESSICA BASUALDO; MARINA DÍAZ; SELVA CUPPARI; SUSANA CARDONE; DANIELA SORESI; GLADYS PEREZ CAMARGO; ALICIA CARRERA

Plant Breeding

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2015 vol. 134 p. 520 - 528

In this study, we investigated the effect of vernalization on flowering time in thirty accessions of Triticum turgidum spp. Durum. We performed a screening of allelic variation at VRN1 loci using PCR-based markers and DNA sequencing, and expression analysis evaluated at two and four developmental stage, with and without cold treatment. In non-vernalized plants, average days to flowering ranged from 34 to 99 days and only one accession remained at vegetative stage. Four accessions accelerated flowering after cold treatment. At VRN-A1 locus, three alleles previously characterized, Vrn-A1b, Vrn-A1c and vrn-A1 were detected. No polymorphisms at VRN-B1 locus were observed. Differences in vernalization response amongst genotypes could be completely explained by combining information from allelic variation and VRN-A1 transcript levels. We found variability in flowering time and sensitivity to vernalization in a collection of durum wheat that could potentially be transferable to crop. This information is relevant for directing breeding cultivars for adaptation.