Genetic mapping and candidate gene analysis of flag leaf and yield traits using a MAGIC population under heat stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
摘要
A comprehensive evaluation of the MAGIC wheat population under timely sown irrigated (TSIR) and late sown irrigated (LSIR) conditions revealed wide phenotypic variability in agro-morphological and flag leaf traits, including plant height (PH), spike length (SL), spikelet number per spike (SN), grains per spike (GPS), harvest index (HI), flag leaf length (FLL), flag leaf width (FLW) and flag leaf area (FLA), highlighting rich genetic diversity and environmental sensitivity. Genotypes under TSIR showed superior performance, where LSIR induced heat stress effects, resulting in reduced trait expression. Genome-wide association studies identified 97 significant marker-trait associations (MTAs), with key significant SNPs such as AX-94,533,666 (1B) associated with flag leaf area (FLA) and flag leaf width (FLW); AX-94,980,357 (5 A) associated with flag leaf area (FLA), flag leaf length (FLL), and spike length (SL); AX-94,818,117 (5 A) associated with spike length (SL); AX-94,514,616 (7 A) associated with spikelet number per spike (SN); and AX-95,210,025 (5 A) explaining 16.1% phenotypic variance for harvest index (HI), demonstrating robustness across environments for marker-assisted selection. Allelic effect analysis revealed favourable alleles enhancing traits under stress, such as A allele of AX-94,533,666 (+ 4.61 cm² FLA), C allele of AX-94,514,616 (+ 1.27 SN), and T alleles of AX-94,675,826/AX-94,939,854 (+ 8.42–8.51 GPS). In silico candidate gene analysis and gene regulatory network analysis identified several key putative candidate genes, notably TraesCS1B02G339200 (MATH domain–containing protein), TraesCS2D02G518100 (EamA domain-containing protein), TraesCS2B02G319700 (subtilisin-like protease), TraesCS5A02G388300 (β-glucosidase), TraesCS6A02G321400 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor domain containing protein), TraesCS7A02G482200 (ALA-interacting subunit) and TraesCS5A02G390200 (strictosidine synthase conserved region domain-containing protein). These genes integrate flag leaf traits- flag leaf length (FLL), flag leaf width (FLW) and flag leaf area (FLA), agro-morphological traits- plant height (PH), spike length (SL), grains per spike (GPS) and spikelet number per spike (SN) and stress responsiveness, underscoring their potential value for improving yield stability under heat stress conditions. These findings elucidate the genetic basis of yield stability, offering genomic targets for breeding resilient wheat varieties.