Characterization of QEet.ocs-5A.1 a quantitative trait locus for ear emergence time on wheat chromosome 5AL

QEet.ocs-5A.1, a quantitative trait locus controlling ear emergence time, has been detected on wheat chromosome 5AL using single chromosome recombinant lines ( SCRs) developed from a cross between Chinese Spring ( CS) ( Cappelle-Desprez' 5A) and CS ( Triticum spelta 5A). This locus has little influence on grain yield and its components, and thus has breeding potential for changing ear emergence time without yield reduction. To characterize the phenotypic expression of QEet.ocs.1 and to test its interaction with the Vrn-A1 gene for vernalization response, six near-isogenic SCRs differing for these two gene regions were grown together with the parental controls under different vernalization and photoperiod regimes. The T. spelta allele of QEet.ocs.1 accelerated heading time when vernalization and photoperiod were satisfied, demonstrating that the function of this QTL is earliness per se. There was no interaction between Vrn-A1 and QEet.ocs.1.