Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Spelt as a genetic resource for yield component improvement in bread wheat

Xie, Quan; Mayes, Sean; Sparkes, Debbie L.

Authors

Quan Xie

SEAN MAYES SEAN.MAYES@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Associate Professor

Debbie L. Sparkes



Abstract

Novel germplasm resources are required to broaden the genetic diversity of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for further yield improvement. In this study, the usefulness of spelt (T. spelta L.) as a genetic resource to improve yield components of bread wheat was determined. A recombinant inbred line mapping population of bread wheat Forno and spelt Oberkulmer was used to quantify the yield components. Subsequently, quantitative trait loci (QTL) for yield components, together with grain threshability traits, were identified. Oberkulmer had larger grains (in 2012 season), more fertile tillers, higher biomass, longer and laxer spikes than Forno. Quantitative trait locus analysis revealed six alleles for low threshability and two for tenacious glumes from the spelt, and the Q gene had major effects. Furthermore, 40 favorable alleles for yield components were detected from Oberkulmer, and 83% of them were independent of those for low threshability and tenacious glumes. Therefore, spelt is a useful genetic resource for yield component improvement of bread wheat, while maintaining the free-threshing habit. In addition, most of QTL for grain number components were coincident with those for grain weight. Allelic analysis of the coincident QTL showed that increased grain number was associated with decreased grain weight, which explained their negative phenotypic relationships.

Citation

Xie, Q., Mayes, S., & Sparkes, D. L. (2015). Spelt as a genetic resource for yield component improvement in bread wheat. Crop Science, 55(6), 2753-2765. doi:10.2135/cropsci2014.12.0842

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 18, 2015
Online Publication Date Oct 19, 2015
Publication Date Nov 25, 2015
Deposit Date Apr 18, 2018
Print ISSN 0011-183X
Publisher Crop Science Society of America
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 55
Issue 6
Pages 2753-2765
DOI https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2014.12.0842
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1106875
Publisher URL https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/cs/pdfs/55/6/2753