Validation of Grain Yield QTLs from Soft Winter Wheat Using a CIMMYT Spring Wheat Panel

Validation of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) is an essential step in marker-assisted breeding. The objectives of this study were to validate grain yield (GY) QTLs previously identified in soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through biparental and association mapping using the spring wheat association mapping initiative (WAMI) panel from CIMMYT, Mexico, and to identify allele combinations of the validated QTLs that resulted to the highest GY. Linked single-nucleotide polymorphisms for IWA3560 (3A), IWA1818 (4B), and IWA755 (6B) were significantly associated (P < 0.001) with GY, grain number, and thousand-grain weight in the WAMI. Lines possessing the favorable allele for the QTL at the 3A, 4B, and 6B loci (ACG allele combination) validated on the WAMI had the highest mean GY at 4.55 t ha(-1), but three other haplotypes (ACA, GCA, and GCG) differing by one or two alleles in the validated QTL regions were not significantly different. These results validate GY QTLs across winter and spring wheat through genome-wide association analysis and further demonstrate the potential for pyramiding favorable alleles for the genetic improvement of wheat breeding populations.