Quantitative trait loci associated to Fusarium head blight resistance in wheat populations containing Annong–1124 and Zhoumai–27

The selection for Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance is a bit difficult in breeding programs due to the complex inheritance of the resistance genes and the climatic effect on disease vigorous and expression. The present study was performed to assess microsatellite markers related to the resistance against FHB and examine the efficiency of these microsatellite markers while choosing for the resistance genes in all populations derived from a resistant parent. Both recombinant inbred lines (RIL) of Annong1124 (02P67/Aizao87//Yangmai158) and segregating lines of Zhoumai–27 × Shengxuani–6 were evaluated for their resistance to FHB by inoculating with Fusarium graminearum in the greenhouse as well as in the field. A total of 19 and 15 microsatellite markers from the chromosomes 3BS and 5A, respectively, were applied to RIL and each population of Zhoumai–27 (F2, F3). On the other hand, seven microsatellite markers from chromosomes 4B were applied to F2 and F3 segregating populations but there was a general lack of marker polymorphism on 4B for the employed parents of RIL. The most significant SSR markers were detected on the chromosome 3B and 5A explaining 7.30% and 21.74% of phenotypic variation, respectively, for the resistance in the RIL. The best quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected on 4B for F2 and F3 populations with marker interval of WMC238-GWM66 with the LOD score 40.49 and 41.52, respectively. The phenotypic variations for F2 and F3 on chromosome 5A were detected with the account of 0.49 and 2.33 (BARC197-GWM179), respectively. The additive effects on chromosomes 3BS, 4B, and 5A were clearly higher in F3 population as compared to the F2 population. SSR markers on the chromosome 3BS in addition to SSR markers on 4B and 5A have the potential for improving the wheat cultivars with improved FHB resistance through the use of marker-assisted selection.