Mapping quantitative trait loci associated with variation in grain dormancy in Australian wheat

Abstract

Preharvest sprouting is a problem in many regions of the world, resulting in downgrading of quality, substantial economic losses to wheat growers, and difficulties for grain handling and marketing agencies. Improvements in tolerance from the introduction of better grain dormancy at, or near, harvest-ripeness would be expected to have a significant impact on the incidence and severity of sprouting. Intermediate levels of dormancy in older Australian wheats, such as Halberd, and a small number of current cultivars could be used in the short term while more extreme dormancy is being introgressed into locally adapted germplasm. A doubled haploid population derived from Cranbrook (extremely non-dormant, very susceptible to sprouting) x Halberd (intermediate dormancy, moderately tolerant to preharvest sprouting) was grown in replicated experiments and ripe grain harvested for assessment of dormancy, measured as a germination index. Consistent differences were observed between the parents in both experiments. For the bulk of the progeny, the germination index fell within a range defined by Cranbrook at the upper and Halberd at the lower end. Significant quantitative trait loci, all contributed by the very susceptible parent, that explained 11%, 9%, and 9% of the phenotypic variation were identified on chromosome arms 2AL, 2DL, and 4AL, respectively. These QTLs offer the opportunity to develop molecular markers for grain dormancy and to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in this trait.