Abstract
Wheat is one of the most important crops grown worldwide. Despite the fact that it accounts for only 5% of the global wheat production, durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum) is a commercially important tetraploid wheat species, which originated and diversified in the Mediterranean basin. In this work, the candidate gene approach has been applied in a collection of durum wheat genotypes; allelic variants of genes glutamine synthetase (GS2) and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) were screened and correlated with grain protein content (GPC). Natural populations and collections of germplasms are quite suitable for this approach, as molecular polymorphisms close to a locus with evident phenotypic effects may be closely associated with their character, providing a better physical resolution than genetic mapping using ad hoc constituted populations. A number of allelic variants were detected both for GS2 and GOGAT genes, and regression analysis demonstrated that some variations are positively and significantly related to the GPC effect. Additionally, these genes map into homoeologous chromosome groups 2 and 3, where several authors have localized important quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for GPC. The information outlined in this work could be useful in breeding and marker-assisted selection programs.
Highlights
Wheat, together with rice and maize, is one the most important cereal crops grown worldwide.Most of the cultivated cultivars and varieties belong to the hexaploid Triticum aestivum L.(genomes AABBDD, bread wheat) or to the tetraploid T. turgidum L. var. durum, which are different in genome size, grain composition, and food end-use quality attributes
In 1990, important QTLs for grain protein content (GPC) on group 2 chromosomes were firstly reported on durum wheat [42]
QTLs for GPC were found on the short arms of homoeologous group 2 chromosomes in both bread and durum wheat [40,43]
Summary
Together with rice and maize, is one the most important cereal crops grown worldwide.Most of the cultivated cultivars and varieties belong to the hexaploid Triticum aestivum L.(genomes AABBDD, bread wheat) or to the tetraploid T. turgidum L. var. durum (genomes AABB, durum wheat), which are different in genome size (bread wheat having a D genome), grain composition, and food end-use quality attributes. Together with rice and maize, is one the most important cereal crops grown worldwide. Most of the cultivated cultivars and varieties belong to the hexaploid Triticum aestivum L. (genomes AABBDD, bread wheat) or to the tetraploid T. turgidum L. var. Durum (genomes AABB, durum wheat), which are different in genome size (bread wheat having a D genome), grain composition, and food end-use quality attributes. Several agronomic traits and composition aspects determine the final quality of grains. Grain protein content (GPC) contributes to the nutritional value and the baking properties of common wheat and to the pasta-making technology characteristics of durum wheat. GPC is a quantitative trait influenced by a complex genetic system and affected by environmental factors as well as by management practices. One of the most pursued goals of breeders
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