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A comparison of marker-assisted and phenotypic selection for high grain protein content in spring wheat

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Abstract

Wheat grain protein content (GPC) is a primary end-use quality determinant for hard spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and marker-assisted selection (MAS) could help plant breeders to develop high GPC cultivars. Two experiments were conducted using two populations developed by crossing low GPC cultivars (Ember) and (McVey) with (Glupro), which contains a high GPC QTL from Triticum dicoccoides (DIC). In one experiment, MAS and phenotypic selection (PS) were employed to select high GPC genotypes, and the selected genotypes were grown in six North Dakota (ND), USA environments. In a second experiment, molecular markers were used to select BC2F2 plants from each marker class for the DIC allele from each population. These plants were twice self-pollinated to produce BC2F4 plants, which were grown in single ND and Minnesota (MN) environments. Mean GPC was highest among lines using PS at two environments and not significantly different between MAS and PS in the other four environments. Lines presumably homozygous for DIC alleles had significantly higher GPC than their respective low GPC parents. The phenotypic GPC variation explained by the markers (r 2) was 30% at the ND and 15% at the MN environment. The use of PS was as effective as MAS in selecting for high GPC genotypes and more effective in some environments. This likely can be attributed to PS enabling selection for both the major QTL and other genes contributing to GPC. The use of molecular markers might be more advantageous for transferring the high GPC DIC QTL in a backcrossing program during parent development.

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Abbreviations

BC:

Backcross

CTL:

Control population

DIC:

Triticum dicoccoides

GPC:

Grain protein content

MAS:

Marker assisted selection

PS:

Phenotypic selection

RI:

Recombinant inbred

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Correspondence to William A. Berzonsky.

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Davies, J., Berzonsky, W.A. & Leach, G.D. A comparison of marker-assisted and phenotypic selection for high grain protein content in spring wheat. Euphytica 152, 117–134 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-006-9185-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-006-9185-5

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