Dissecting gene × environmental effects on wheat yields via QTL and physiological analysis

• Published in: Euphytica Vol. 154; no. 3; pp. 401 - 408
• Main Authors: SNAPE, John W, FOULKES, M. John, SIMMONDS, James, LEVERINGTON, Michelle, FISH, Lesley J, YINGKUN WANG, CIAVARRELLA, Matteo
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.04.2007; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adaptability; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Chromosomes; Crop yield; Drought; Environmental effects; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Physiology; Plant breeding; Seasons; Wheat; Monocotyledones; Gene expression; Leaf area; Genetic determinism; Quantitative trait loci; Triticum; Genotype environment interaction; Gramineae; Angiospermae; Genetic improvement; QTL analysis; Environmental effect; Environment; Spermatophyta; Physiology; Yield; Leaf area duration; Wheat
• ISSN: 0014-2336; 1573-5060
• DOI: 10.1007/s10681-006-9208-2

Issue Title: Breeding for Success: Diversity in Action. Selected papers from the 13th Australasian Plant Breeding Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand Crops frequently display genotype × environment interaction for yield and end-use quality in response to different environments, particularly when stresses such as water limitation and temperature are components of the interaction. Plant breeders usually exploit this variation via phenotypic selection to develop varieties with both general and specific adaptation. However the individual genes and physiological processes underlying the basis of general and specific adaptation have rarely been elucidated. We are combining large-scale QTL analysis of several doubled haploid populations of wheat, grown over different environments and seasons, with detailed physiological analysis, to dissect the genes and mechanisms responsible for yield and yield × environment variation in adapted European winter germplasm. Analysis of populations grown under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions on drought-prone soils has revealed individual genes showing stable and differential expression over environments, and the analysis has also identified physiological traits that contribute to differential yield performance. Genes on the homoeologous group 2 chromosomes were associated with flag leaf senescence (stay-green) variation and were the most significant in drought interactions. Variation for stem soluble carbohydrate reserves was associated with the 1RS arm of the 1BL/1RS translocated chromosome, and was positively correlated with yield under both irrigated and non-irrigated conditions, and thus general adaptability. Separate analyses of populations grown over three seasons in England, Scotland, France and Germany revealed QTL for yield performance showing both general and specific effects. A stable QTL on chromosome 6A, consistent in different populations, showed significant effects over seasons and environments, whilst other QTL were specific to season and/or environments.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]