Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Associated With Leaf Development in Winter Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) Seedlings

Abstract The vitality and the development in the seedling stage is crucial in winter cereal’s life cycle, especially before and during winter. It has been reported that rapid seedling establishment and early growth may lead to higher crop yield. Localization of cereal genome regions is not often analysed in the seedling stage. The aim of this study was to identify winter triticale genome regions (QTL) associated with seedling leaves development. Based on ‘Hewo’ x ‘Magnat’ DH lines population genetic map composed of 3539 molecular markers assigned to 20 linkage groups with 4997.4 cM map length, in total 40 loci were identified by a composite interval mapping (CIM). Among them, 22 loci appeared in at least two experiments, were common for all analyzed traits as well as were identified on wheat chromosome 4B and on rye chromosomes 1R, 4R, 5R and 6R. Those loci explained up to 21.7% of phenotypic variation (Qwsl.hm.4R.2) and had LOD value up to 31.1 (Qlsl.hm.5R.1). The results of QTLs of seedling leaves development could be successively associated with QTLs of the freezing and fungal infection seedlings tolerance identified in this mapping population.