Genetic architecture and candidate gene identification for grain size in bread wheat by GWAS

Grain size is a key trait associated with bread wheat yield. It is also the most frequently selected trait during domestication. After the phenotypic characterization of 768 bread wheat accessions in three plots for at least two years, the present study shows that the improved variety showed significantly higher grain size but lower grain protein content than the landrace. Using 55K SNP assay genotyping and large-scale phenotyping population and GWAS data, we identified 5, 6, 6, and 6 QTLs associated with grain length, grain weight, grain area, and thousand grain weight, respectively. Seven of the 23 QTLs showed common association within different locations or years. Most significantly, the key locus associated with grain length, qGL-2D, showed the highest association after years of multi-plot testing. Haplotype and evolution analysis indicated that the superior allele of qGL-2D was mainly hidden in the improved variety rather than in landrace, which may contribute to the significant difference in grain length. A comprehensive analysis of transcriptome and homolog showed that TraesCS2D02G414800 could be the most likely candidate gene for qGL-2D. Overall, this study presents several reliable grain size QTLs and candidate gene for grain length associated with bread wheat yield.

Automated summary

This study identifies key loci and candidate genes associated with grain size and yield in bread wheat by phenotypic characterization and genetic analysis. The improved variety has larger grain size but lower protein content, which may be attributed to the presence of superior alleles at key loci in the improved variety.