QTL mapping of selenium content using a RIL population in wheat

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Genetics
• Plant Breeding

Background:

• Selenium (Se) is vital for human health, and wheat biofortification is a key strategy to increase its dietary intake.
• Understanding the genetic basis of Se accumulation in wheat is essential for developing biofortified varieties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with selenium content in wheat.
• To provide a genetic foundation for improving grain Se concentration through breeding.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between two Chinese winter wheat varieties.
• Conducted hydroponic and field trials to measure Se content across different growth stages.
• Performed QTL mapping to locate genetic regions influencing Se accumulation.

Main Results:

• Detected a total of 16 QTLs for six Se content-related traits across eight chromosomes (1B, 2B, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5D, 6A, 7D).
• Seven QTLs were identified at the seedling stage and nine at the adult stage.
• Individual QTL contributions to Se content ranged from 7.37% to 20.22%, with QSsece-7D.2 exhibiting the highest effect (20.22%).

Conclusions:

• This study elucidates the genetic architecture controlling Se content in wheat.
• The identified QTLs serve as valuable genetic markers for marker-assisted selection in wheat breeding programs aimed at Se biofortification.