Allelic variation of vernalization and photoperiod response genes in a diverse set of North American high latitude winter wheat genotypes

Citation

Whittal, A., Kaviani, M., Graf, R., Humphreys, G., Navabi, A. (2018). Allelic variation of vernalization and photoperiod response genes in a diverse set of North American high latitude winter wheat genotypes. PLoS ONE, [online] 13(8), http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203068

Plain language summary

Wheat plant development is largely controlled vernalization temperature and day length, which are at least in part, controlled by the genetic variation at the vernalization (VRN) and photoperiod (PPD) loci, respectively. Knowledge of genetic variation in plant development will assist winter wheat breeding. The objectives of this research were to figure out the genetic variation at the major VRN and PPD loci in a collection of winter wheat lines commonly grown or developed in Canada. Most of the observed variation in the winter wheat development was explained by genetic variation at PPD-D1, PPD-A1, and the interaction between these loci. Most high latitude winter wheat lines carry “winter” alleles at all major VRN loci and photoperiod sensitive alleles at the major PPD loci; however, lines adapted to lower latitudes where winters are milder carried one or more insensitive PPD genes which seems to contribute to higher yield and wider adaptation.

Abstract

The major physiological determinants of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) phenology in a given area are a response to vernalization temperature and day length, which are at least in part, regulated by the allelic variation at the vernalization (VRN) and photoperiod (PPD) loci, respectively. Characterization of the existing genetic variation for plant phenology in winter wheat can assist breeding programs improve adaptation to local environments and to optimize wheat phenology for the changing climate. The objectives of this research were to characterize the allelic variation at the major VRN and PPD loci in a diverse panel of high latitude winter wheat genotypes (n = 203) and to associate the allelic variation with phenologic, agronomic and adaptation traits. The panel was genotyped using allele-specific markers at vernalization (VRN-A1, VRN-B1, VRN-D1 and VRN-B3) and photoperiod (PPD-A1, PPD-B1, and PPD-D1) loci and phenotyped for agronomically-important traits. Though photoperiod sensitivity was more prevalent, most of the variation in the phenology of the winter wheat panel was explained by allelic variation at PPD-D1, PPD-A1, and the interaction between these loci. While a typical high latitude winter wheat genotype is one that carries winter alleles at all major VRN loci and photoperiod sensitive alleles at the major PPD loci, in lower latitudes where winters are milder, the presence of one or two photoperiod insensitive alleles seems to contribute to higher yield and wider adaptation.

Publication date

2018-08-01