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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.08.14.607938

Enhancing wheat yield potential through the QFFE.perg-5A and QFEm.perg-3A associated to spike fruiting efficiency: Insights from plot-level analysis

Pretini, N.·Vanzetti, L. S.·Terrile, I. I.·Silva, P. M.·Ferrari, G.·Gonzalez, F. G.
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Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a key global crop, essential for food security. To enhance its productivity this study focused on two quantitative trait loci (QTL), QFFE.perg-5A and QFEm.perg-3A, previously associated with fruiting efficiency at the spike level. We extended the analysis to the plot level to evaluate their impact on yield, thousand grain weight, and related traits, using a double haploid population of 102 lines in three environments. The results showed an epistatic interaction between a QTL for spike dry weight and grain number per spike. QFFE.perg-5A showed no interaction with the environment, increasing fruiting efficiency (13-15%), grain number per spike (7%), and spike number per unit area (9%), leading to an 8% rise in grain number per unit area and a 5% yield increase. In contrast, QFEm.perg-3As impact depended on the environment. This study connects spike-level QTL analysis with plot-level effects, providing valuable insights for breeding programs to improve wheat varieties with desirable traits and increased productivity.

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Pretini, N., Vanzetti, L. S., Terrile, I. I., Silva, P. M., Ferrari, G., Gonzalez, F. G.. 2024-08-18. Enhancing wheat yield potential through the QFFE.perg-5A and QFEm.perg-3A associated to spike fruiting efficiency: Insights from plot-level analysis. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.08.14.607938

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