AUTHOR=Zhang Xiaojun , Qiao Linyi , Li Xin , Yang Zujun , Liu Cheng , Guo Huijuan , Zheng Jun , Zhang Shuwei , Chang Lifang , Chen Fang , Jia Juqing , Yan Liuling , Chang Zhijian 

TITLE=Genetic Incorporation of the Favorable Alleles for Three Genes Associated With Spikelet Development in Wheat

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.892642

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2022.892642

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>The number of spikelets per spike is an important trait that directly affects grain yield in wheat. Three quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with spikelet nodes per spike (SNS) were mapped in a population of recombinant inbred lines generated from a cross between two advanced breeding lines of winter wheat based on the phenotypic variation evaluated over six locations/years. Two of the three QTLs are <italic>QSns.sxau-2A</italic> at the <italic>WHEATFRIZZY PANICLE</italic> (<italic>WFZP</italic>) loci and <italic>QSns.sxau-7A</italic> at the <italic>WHEAT ORTHOLOG OF APO1</italic> (<italic>WAPO1</italic>) loci. The <italic>WFZP-A1b</italic> allele with a 14-bp deletion at <italic>QSns.sxau-2A</italic> was associated with increased spikelets per spike. <italic>WAPO-A1e</italic>, as a novel allele at <italic>WAPO1</italic>, were regulated at the transcript level that was associated with the SNS trait. The third SNS QTL, <italic>QSns.sxau-7D</italic> on chromosome 7D, was not associated with homoeologous <italic>WAPO-D1</italic> or any other genes known to regulate SNS. The favorable alleles for each of <italic>WZFP-A1</italic>, <italic>WAPO-A1</italic>, and <italic>QSns.sxau-7D</italic> are identified and incorporated to increase up to 3.4 spikelets per spike in the RIL lines. Molecular markers for the alleles were developed. This study has advanced our understanding of the genetic basis of natural variation in spikelet development in wheat.</p>