VaMdation of quantitative trait loci in durum (T. turgidum L. var durum) Inked to drought tolerance and grain quality on a durum core colection

摘要

Durum (Triticum turgidum L. var durum) is mainly grown in the Mediterranean dryland under variable environmental conditions. Improvement of drought tolerance and grain quality is complex and require large number of testing sites and seasons to determine the cultivar genotypic value; they require also different and expensive tools, such as exploitation of the genetic variation of landraces and Triticum wild relatives, use of representative testing environments, and specific equipments for stress physiology and quality tests. In this study, the validation and the use of molecular markers and the detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) linked with drought tolerance and grain quality are discussed. The molecular markers linked to drought tolerance traits, such as carbon isotope discrimination, water use efficiency, and relative water content, were validated on a variable durum core collection. Similar study was made for the quality traits such as the yellow pigment, protein content, and sedimentation test. QTLs were revealed for carbon isotope discrimination and yellow pigment. Molecular markers combined with stress physiology and grain quality are useful to develop a marker assisted selection (MAS) program for breeding high yielding and drought resistant durum genotypes with improved grain quality in the Mediterranean dryland.