Identification of molecular markers associated with yield and quality traits for Argentinean durum wheat breeding programs

PABLO F. RONCALLO; VIVIANA C. ECHENIQUE

Roma

Simposio; International Symposium Genetics and Breeding of Durum Wheat; 2013

Accademia Nazionale delle Scienze, detta dei XL, Italy; International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (Icarda); Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo (Cimmyt); Italian National Research Council (CNR)

Developing cultivars with high grain yield and optimal quality traits for pasta production is the main goal of durum wheat breeding programs worldwide. This work summarize the main results of our research group using a RIL mapping population (UC1113 x Kofa) to detect QTLs and linked markers for yield and yield components, phenology, gluten strength, protein and color evaluated in environments from the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. QTLs affecting yield and yield components were mapped on chromosomes 3BS(gwm493), on 2BS(cfa2201), on 3AL(ksm28-wmc428) and on 4AL. The first two QTL also affect heading date and/or flowering time. QTLs affecting flour yellow color (Fb*) were located on 4AL(wmc219), 6AL(wmc553) and 7BL(cfa2040-barc1073). The QTLs on 6AL and 7BL plus a 7BS QTL(barc72) also affect yellow pigment content (Ypc). Another important QTL for Ypc and Fb* was linked to Psy-B1 gene. The deletion of the Lpx-B1.1 from Kofa, results in a significant decrease of lipoxigenase activity and improves pasta color. For gluten strength, the most important and stable QTL was located on 1BL(Glu-B1) and two additional  regions were located on 6AL(wmc553) y 6BL (gwm219). Two QTLs located on 3BS(barc147-gwm493) and 7BL(cfa2040-barc1073) were found as affecting protein content. The flanking markers of the QTLs detected in this work could be efficient tools to select superior genotypes to improve the argentinean durum wheats.