Agronomic association of Vrn, Ppd, Rht genes and identified QTLs under contrasting tillage conditions in wheat

Abstract

Improved varieties have played important role in higher yield
realization in tandem with improved management practices.
Conservation agriculture as an improved environment for higher
production requires adaptive variety to further the yield gain. Higher
effect of environment along with equally important G×E makes
selection on the basis of phenotypic traits more risky and less rewarding.
Molecular markers with lesser effect of environment and independent
of stage and condition for their expression present attractive option
to breeders to improve selection efficiency. Various Vrn, Ppd and Rht
genes along with number of QTLs identified by researchers have
adaptive role in wheat. Genotypes showing differential adaptiveness
were grown under three contrasting environments generated by
different tillage-sowing methods. Gene specific markers were scored
and genotypes were grouped as per markers profile. Grouping on the
basis of markers was correlated with phenotypic grouping, though
not so strongly, under different environments, picking conservation
agriculture adaptive genotypes under one node and genotypes adapted
for conventional tillage in another node. Contrasting pool created by
identified QTLs under its adaptive growing environment does not show
any differentiating ability and therefore requires further validation
before use in breeding programme.