Genotyping of Triticum durum Desf. wheat accessions from the VIR collection based on the loci determining the rate of development and sensitivity to photoperiod (Vrn, Ppd)

Background. The creation of early maturing, photoperiod-insensitive cultivars is a perspective direction of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) breeding. The collection of wheat genetic resources at VIR can serve as a source of the genes for valuable breeding traits. The potential of durum wheat collection for important adaptation characters has been poorly studied, and the allelic diversity at the development rate gene loci is unknown. Screening of the collection with the use of the allele-specific molecular markers of the genes for vernalization response (Vrn) and photoperiod sensitivity (Ppd) is relevant. Material and methods. A sample set for genotyping loci of high growth rate included 48 T. durum accessions previously characterized for physiological characters and productivity components. Eight common allele-specific PCR markers selected from literature sources were used for the molecular screening. The photoperiod sensitivity coefficient was determined in a vegetation experiment under natural illumination and short 12-hour day conditions. Results. With the use of diagnostic markers, the dominant Vrn alleles for spring growth habit were identified in 24 accessions: 23 accessions were found to carry Vrn-A1 allele determining the spring growth habit; the dominant Vrn-B1 allele was detected in 24 accessions, while the Vrn-B3a allele was found only in the Ambo 7 accession. The dominant Ppd-A1 and Ppd-B1 alleles determining photoperiod insensitivity were identified in 21 accessions. A vegetation experiment has confirmed a weak response to the day length in eight Mexican lines that harbor markers of the dominant Vrn and Ppd alleles. Conclusion. Based on the phenotypic analysis and molecular genotyping data, 24 sources of early maturity genes were identified in durum wheat.

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