Mapping the compactum locus in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and its relationship to other spike morphology genes of the Triticeae

The spikes of club wheat are significantly more compact than spikes of common wheat due to the action of the dominant allele of the compactum (C) locus. Little is known about the location of C on chromosome 2D and the relationship between C and to other spike-compacting genes. Thus, a study was undertaken to place C on linkage maps and a chromosome deletion bin, and to assess its relatedness to the spike compacting genes zeocriton (Zeo) from barley and soft glume (Sog) from T. monococcum. Genetic mapping was based on recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between the cultivars Coda (club) and Brundage (common) and F(2) progeny from a cross between the club wheat Corrigin and a chromosome 2D substitution line [Chinese Spring (Ae. tauschii 2D)]. The C locus was flanked by Xwmc144 and Xwmc18 in the RIL population and it was completely linked to Xcfd116, Xgwm358 and Xcfd17 in the F(2) population. C could not be unambiguously placed to a chromosome bin because markers that were completely linked to C or flanked this locus were localized to chromosome bins on either side of the centromere (C-2DS1 and C-2DL3). Since C has been cytogenetically mapped to the long arm of chromosome 2D, we suspect C is located in bin C-2DL3. Comparative mapping suggested that C and Sog were present in homoeologous regions on chromosomes 2D and 2A(m), respectively. On the other hand, C and Zeo, on chromosome 2H, did not appear to be orthologous.