Quantitative trait loci for grain yield in pearl millet under variable postflowering moisture conditions

Bidinger, F R and Nepolean, T and Hash, C T and Yadav, R S and Howarth, C J (2007) Quantitative trait loci for grain yield in pearl millet under variable postflowering moisture conditions. Crop Science, 47 (3). pp. 969-980.

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Abstract

Pearl millet marker-assisted selection (MAS) programs targeting adaptation to variable postflowering moisture environments would benefit from quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that improve grain yield across the full range of postflowering moisture conditions, rather than just in drought-stressed environments. This research was undertaken to identify such QTLs from an extensive (12-environment) phenotyping data set that included both stressed and unstressed postflowering environments. Genetic materials were test crosses of 79 F2-derived F4 progenies from a mapping population based on a widely adapted maintainer line (ICMB 841) × a postfl owering drought-tolerant maintainer (863B). Three QTLs (on linkage group [LG] 2, LG 3, and LG 4) were identifi ed as primary candidates for MAS for improved grain yield across variable postflowering moisture environments. The QTLs on LG 2 and LG 3 (the most promising) explained a useful proportion (13-25%) of phenotypic variance for grain yield across environments. They also co-mapped with QTLs for harvest index across environments, and with QTLs for both grain number and individual grain mass under severe terminal stress. Neither had a significant QTL × environment interaction, indicating that their predicted effects should occur across a broad range of available moisture environments. We have estimated the benefi ts in grain yield and accompanying changes in yield components and partitioning indices that would be expected as a result of incorporating these QTLs into other genetic backgrounds by MAS.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	Mandate crops > Millets
Depositing User:	Library ICRISAT
Date Deposited:	06 Sep 2011 06:51
Last Modified:	06 Sep 2011 06:51
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/773
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2006.07.0465
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	Department for International Development
Acknowledgement:	We would like to thank Mr. A. Ganapathi and Mr. P. Om Prakash for assistance in producing the mapping population and testcross seed of its progenies, and Mr. P.V.D. Maheshwar Rao for managing the drought nursery in a very effi cient manner and collecting the majority of the fi eld data. This document is an output from projects (Plant Sciences Research Programme R7375 and R8183) funded by the UK Dep. for International Development (DFID) and administered by CAZS Natural Resources for the benefi t of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of DFID.
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