Maximizing the identification of QTL for pre-harvest sprouting resistance using seed dormancy measures in a white-grained hexaploid wheat population

Pre-harvest sprouting in spring wheat causes significant financial loss to growers throughout the world and sprouting damage can be reduced by growing resistant genotypes. Several genetic factors, especially those related to seed dormancy, are involved in the control of pre-harvest sprouting resistance. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing pre-harvest sprouting resistance from multiple measures of dormancy at multiple germination intervals on seed harvested across multiple environments. A doubled haploid mapping population of 91 individuals derived from a cross of two Canadian white-seeded spring wheat genotypes, SC8021-V2 (pre-harvest sprouting resistant) and AC Karma (moderately susceptible to pre-harvest sprouting) was used for QTL mapping. Daily germination counts were analysed using germination index, germination resistance and percent germination at intervals of 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days from spike samples collected from six field and one greenhouse environments in Saskatchewan, Canada. Continuous frequency distributions at certain measure-durations indicated genetic complexity of dormancy segregation in the SC8021-V2/AC Karma cross. Composite interval mapping detected significant (p ≤ 0.05) QTL associated with resistance to pre-harvest sprouting on all 21 wheat chromosomes. Of the 26 total QTL, six were novel and the rest were detected either at the same marker or overlapping a marker interval reported in other studies. QTL expressed consistently for germination index, germination resistance and percent germination at different germination durations on chromosomes 2B, 4A, 5D and 6D. QTL identified on homoeologous chromosomes 4A, 4B and 4D with chromosome specific molecular variants of SSR marker wmc617 suggest a conserved region for controlling dormancy on group four. The majority of QTL mapped in regions known to contain factors affecting different components of pre-harvest sprouting resistance like seed dormancy, seed coat colour, ABA responsiveness and alpha-amylase activity. This study demonstrated that using multiple measures of seed dormancy at multiple intervals of germination enhanced identification of QTL affecting dormancy in white-seeded hexaploid wheat.