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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 61(2)

Genetics of late maturity α-amylase in a doubled haploid wheat population

M. K. Tan A D E , A. P. Verbyla B E , B. R. Cullis C E , P. Martin C , A. W. Milgate C and J. R. Oliver C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Industry and Investment NSW, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Private Bag 4008, Narellan, NSW 2567, Australia.

B School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide and Statistical Bioinformatics, Mathematical and Information Sciences, CSIRO, Private Mail Bag 1, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia.

C Industry and Investment NSW, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Private Mail Bag, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: mui-keng.tan@industry.nsw.gov.au

E MKT, APV and BRC contributed almost equally to this work.

Crop and Pasture Science 61(2) 153-161 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP09239
Submitted: 14 August 2009  Accepted: 8 December 2009   Published: 8 February 2010

Abstract

Late maturity α-amylase (LMA) in wheat is a defect where high-isoelectric point (pI) α-amylase accumulates in the ripening grain. Wheat genotypes vary in expression from zero to high levels of α-amylase, the latter with detrimental consequences on their use for value-added end products. Expression in each genotype is characterised by varying numbers of grains affected and different levels in each grain. Analysis of a doubled haploid (DH) population (188 lines) from WW1842 × Whistler has identified significant QTL on chromosomes 2DL, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4B, 4D, 5DS and 5BL. The 4B LMA allele (P < 0.0001) from Whistler is closely linked to the QTL for the ‘tall’ allele (P < 0.0001) of the Rht-B1 gene. The 4D LMA QTL (P < 0.0001) in WW1842 co-locates with the QTL for the ‘tall’ allele (P < 0.0001) of the Rht-D1 gene. This study has shown for the first time that a DH cross between two semi-dwarf cultivars with low or no LMA produces ~25% of progeny lines of the ‘tall’ genotypes with a high frequency of LMA. This is attributed to the large additive positive effects from the combination of one recessive ‘tall’ Rht-B1 gene and one recessive ‘tall’ Rht-D1 gene. High-yielding semi-dwarf genotypes with different combinations of Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 alleles which have very low or non-existent LMA expression (e.g. WW1842 and Whistler) may meet industry criteria for registration as commercial wheat varieties. However, when they are used as breeding lines, the cross produces some progeny genotypes with severe levels of LMA. These LMA genotypes comprise the gibberellic acid-sensitive ‘tall’ progenies and a very small proportion of semi-dwarfs. Thus, it is of paramount importance to screen the defect in wheat breeding programs. The suite of QTL identified for LMA will enable the use of marker assisted selection in the pyramiding of the beneficial QTL to maximise yield and minimise (or eliminate) LMA in semi-dwarf genotypes.

Additional keywords: genetic mapping, gibberellic acid, Rht genes, yield, marker assisted selection, plant height, QTL, semi-dwarfs.


Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Renu Srivastava, Rui Jun Li, Jiai Chen, and Nilufa Sultana for their excellent technical support in the project, and Dr Neil Howes and Dr Zhao Xiaochun for invaluable assistance in glasshouse trials. We thank Value-Added Wheat CRC, Australia (now terminated), and GRDC for financial support.


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