RFLP markers associated with high grain protein from Triticum turgidum L. var. dicoccoides introgressed into hard red spring wheat

Increased grain protein is desirable for many bread and pasta products, Bec ause of its importance to end-use quality and human nutrition, this trait h as been widely studied. This study was conducted to (i) identify genomic re gions associated with high grain protein concentration (GPC) inherited from Triticum turgidum L, var. dicoccoides in three hard red spring wheat recom binant inbred (RI) populations (ND683/'Bergen', 'Glupro'/'Keene', and Glupr o/Bergen); (ii) examine the effects of genetic background and environment o n these genes; and (iii) determine the genetic size of the Triticum turgidu m L., ar. dicoccoides chromosomal segment introgressed into hard red spring wheat genotypes, The F-5-derived RI lines were grown at fire environments for the ND683/Bergen population and at three environments for the other two populations. The range of GPC in the ND683/Bergen, Glupro/Keene, and Glupr o/Bergen population was 142 to 179, 149 to 182, and 139 to 183 g kg(-1), re spectively. The four parental genotypes were surveyed for polymorphisms wit h 96 low copy DNA clones located on group 5 and 6 chromosomes. A single reg ion associated with high GPC was detected with five RFLP markers (Xcdo365, Xmwg79, Xbcd102, Xbcd357, and Xcdo1380) located near the centromere on chro mosome 6B, One of the markers (Xcdo365) identified a 6.5-kb restriction fra gment in Triticum turgidum var, L, dicoccoides, Glupro, ND645, and ND683, H ence, this fragment is in coupling linkage to high GPC gene(s). This marker explained 21 to 35% of the phenotypic variation in GPC in the three popula tions. The DNA marker in this region might be used to rapidly introgress th is gene for high GPC into other wheat germplasm.