Meta-QTL analysis of the genetic control of crop height in elite European winter wheat germplasm

In bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), crop height is an important determinant of agronomic performance. The aim of this study was to identify genes controlling variation in crop height segregating in elite European winter wheat germplasm. Four doubled haploid populations derived from the crosses Avalon x Cadenza, Savannah x Rialto, Spark x Rialto and Charger x Badger were selected, representing wide diversity in European winter wheat breeding programmes. Genetic maps based on simple sequence repeat (SSR) and Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) markers were constructed for each population. One hundred and four significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified in the four populations. A meta-analysis was conducted and the effects condensed into sixteen meta-QTL on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 1D, 2A (two meta-QTL), 2B, 2D, 3A, 3B, 4B, 4D, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B and 6D. These include QTL with additive effects equivalent to Rht-D1 and a potentially new allele of Rht8. The description of these effects offers new opportunities for the manipulation of crop height, biomass and yield in wheat breeding programmes.