Assessment of molecular diversity at QTLs for preharvest sprouting resistance in wheat using microsatellite markers

Breeding for preharvest sprouting (PHS) resistance is of great interest in wheat-growing areas where high rainfall occurs during grain ripening and harvest. We have characterized 32 wheat accessions using 33 microsatellite markers flanking PHS quantitative trait loci (QTLs) previously identified on group 3, 4, 5, and 6 chromosomes of hexaploid wheat. A total of 229 alleles, with an average of 6.94 alleles per marker, were observed among the 32 wheat lines. The polymorphic information content (PIC) was estimated and ranged between 0.25 and 0.90, with an average of 0.67. A cluster analysis revealed 3 main clusters and 3 singlet wheat lines, which is in agreement with pedigree-based relationships, seed coat colour, and origin. Canadian wheat accessions were subdivided into 4 sub-clusters based on pedigree and wheat classes. Grouping of preharvest sprouting germplasm into clusters was consistent with cluster-specific allele diversity observed in the PHS-resistant lines AUS1408, Red-RL4137, White-RL4137, and Kenya321. The implications of these findings in white wheat breeding for PHS tolerance are discussed.