Investigation of genetic diversity and population structure of common wheat cultivars in northern China using DArT markers

Liyi Zhang,Aimin Zhang,Daowen Wang,Jiazhu Sun,Dongcheng Liu,Pierre Sourdille,Wenlong Yang,Xiaoli Guo

doi:10.1186/1471-2156-12-42

Abstract

BackgroundIn order to help establish heterotic groups of Chinese northern wheat cultivars (lines), Diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers were used to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of Chinese common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).ResultsIn total, 1637 of 7000 DArT markers were polymorphic and scored with high confidence among a collection of 111 lines composed mostly of cultivars and breeding lines from northern China. The polymorphism information content (PIC) of DArT markers ranged from 0.03 to 0.50, with an average of 0.40, with P > 80 (reliable markers). With principal-coordinates analysis (PCoA) of DArT data either from the whole genome or from the B-genome alone, all lines fell into one of two major groups reflecting 1RS/1BL type (1RS/1BL and non-1RS/1BL). Evidence of geographic clustering of genotypes was also observed using DArT markers from the A genome. Cluster analysis based on the unweighted pair-group method with algorithmic mean suggested the existence of two subgroups within the non-1RS/1BL group and four subgroups within the 1RS/1BL group. Furthermore, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed highly significant (P < 0.001) genetic variance within and among subgroups and among groups.ConclusionThese results provide valuable information for selecting crossing parents and establishing heterotic groups in the Chinese wheat-breeding program.

Highlights

In order to help establish heterotic groups of Chinese northern wheat cultivars, Diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers were used to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of Chinese common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Polymorphism of DArT markers Scanning with about 7000 DArT markers resulted in 2264 polymorphic loci, of which 1362 markers were assigned to the 21 wheat chromosomes
Each DArT marker was subjected to an ANOVA-based statistical analysis to estimate its quality, described as a P-value

Summary

Introduction

In order to help establish heterotic groups of Chinese northern wheat cultivars (lines), Diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers were used to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of Chinese common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), an economically important cereal, is widely cultivated worldwide. Wheat-breeding programs around the world are working toward improved grain yield with better quality, disease-resistance and agronomic performance. The 1RS/1BL translocation is one of the most frequently used alien introgressions in wheat-breeding programs throughout the world [13,14]. In addition to its advantage in disease resistance (Sr31, Lr26, and Yr9) [15], the 1RS translocation is useful for its positive effect on agronomic traits including yield performance, yield stability, and wide adaptation [16,17]. Various molecular markers, including STS (SequenceTagged Site), SCAR (Sequence Characterized Amplified Region), RAPD, and SSR, have been employed to detect the 1RS/1BL translocation [22,23,24]

Methods

Results

Conclusion