Quantitative trait loci associated with kernel traits in a soft x hard wheat cross

Kernel morphology and texture influence the value of wheat (Triticum aestiv um L.). The objectives of this study were to determine associations between kernel traits and molecular markers and to identify quantitative trait loc i (QTLs) affecting kernel traits in a soft x hard white wheat cross. Sevent y eight F-2.5-derived recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between the soft white wheat NY6432-18 (NY18) and the hard white wheat 'Clark's Cre am' (CC) were developed by single seed descent. Kernel texture was measured by near infrared reflectance (NIR) on RIL grain samples from six environme nts. Digital image analysis (DW) was used to measure kernel length, width, area, perimeter on grain samples from four environments. Test weight and th ousand kernel weight (TKW) were also determined. Shape factor and density f actor were calculated. The map for this population consisted of 313 molecul ar markers in 47 linkage groups located on all wheat homoeologous chromosom e groups. Linkage groups that mapped to wheat homoeologous group 2 chromoso mes were highly skewed towards NY18 alleles. Genotype effects and genotype x environment interactions were highly significant for most traits. QTLs fo r kernel width and kernel length also influenced kernel area and TKW, but d id not influence each other. The pinB marker at the puroindoline B locus on chromosome 5DS explained over 60% of the phenotypic variation for kernel t exture. QTLs for kernel traits were located on chromosomes 1A, 2B, 2D, 3B, 7A, and 7B.