Mapping of quantitative trait loci for root hair length in wheat identifies loci that co-locate with loci for yield components.
Root hairs are fast growing, ephemeral tubular extensions of the root epidermis. They arise in the unsuberized maturation zone of the root, effectively increasing the root surface area in the region over which nutrient and water uptake occur. Variation in root hair length (RHL) between varieties has been shown to be genetically determined, and could, therefore, have consequences for nutrient capture and yield potential in crops. We describe the development of a medium-to-high throughput screening method for assessing RHL in wheat at the seedling stage. This method was used to screen a number of wheat mapping population parental lines for variation in RHL. Parents of two populations derived from inter-varietal crosses differed for RHL: Spark vs Rialto and Charger vs Badger. We identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for RHL in the populations derived from these crosses. In Spark × Rialto, QTLs on chromosomes 1A, 2A and 6A were associated with variation in RHL, whilst in Charger × Badger, a QTL for RHL was identified on 2BL. The QTLs on 2A and 6A co-localized with previously described QTLs for yield components. Longer root hairs may confer an advantage by exploiting limiting mineral and water resources. This first QTL analysis of root hair length in wheat identifies loci that could usefully be further investigated for their role in tolerance to limiting conditions.
Department of Crop Genetics, The John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
R
R
Horn
Department of Crop Genetics, The John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
L U
LU
Wingen
Department of Crop Genetics, The John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK john.snape@jic.ac.uk.
J W
JW
Snape
Department of Crop Genetics, The John Innes Centre, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK.
L
L
Dolan
D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D000069599:Crop Production; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development*; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci / Q000235:genetics*; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development*; D014908:Triticum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development
Mapping; QTL; root hairs; wheat; yield.