LINKAGE BETWEEN RSLP MARKERS AND GENES AFFECTING KERNEL HARDNESS IN WHEAT

A molecular-marker linkage map of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thel l) provides a powerful tool for genomic regions influencing breadmakin g quality. A variance analysis for kernel hardness was conducted using 114 recombinant inbred lines (F-7) from a cross between a synthetic a nd a cultivated wheat. The major gene involved in kernel hardness, hn (hard), known to be on chromosome arm 5DS, was found to be closely lin ked with the locus Xmta9 corresponding to the ene of puroindoline-a. T his locus explained around 63% of the phenotypic variability but there was no evidence that puroindoline-a is the product of Hn (soft). Four additional regions located on chromosomes 2A, 2D, 5B, and 6D were sho wn to have single-factor effects on hardness, while three others situa ted on chromosomes 5A, 6D and 7A had interaction effects, Positive all eles were contributed by both parents. A three-marker model explains a bout 75% of the variation for this trait.