Identification of genetic loci for early maturity in spring bread wheat using the association analysis and gene dissection

BACKGROUND: Early maturity in spring bread wheat is highly desirable in the regions where it enables the plants to evade high temperatures and plant pathogens at the end of the growing season. METHODS: To reveal the genetic loci responsible for the maturity time association analysis was carried out based on phenotyping for an 11-year period and high-throughput SNP genotyping of a panel of the varieties contrasting for this trait. The expression of candidate genes was verified using qPCR. The association between the SNP markers and the trait was validated using the biparental F(2:3) population. RESULTS: Our data showed that under long-day conditions, the period from seedling to maturity is mostly influenced by the time from heading to maturity, rather than the heading time. The QTLs associated with the trait were located on 2A, 3B, 4A, 5B, 7A and 7B chromosomes with the 7BL locus being the most significant and promising for its SNPs accelerated the maturity time by about 9 days. Gene dissection in this locus detected a number of candidates, the best being TraesCS7B02G391800 (bZIP9) and TraesCS7B02G412200 (photosystem II reaction center). The two genes are predominantly expressed in the flag leaf while flowering. The effect of the SNPs was verified in F(2:3) population and confirmed the association of the 4A, 5B and 7BL loci with the maturity time.