Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci in rye (Secale cereale L.)

Using the marker information of 275 F-2 plants quantitative traits determin ing morphological and yield characters were studied analyzing F-3 progenies grown in four different experiments at three sites. The map constructed co ntains 113 markers including the major dwarfing gene Ddw1 with an average d istance of about 10 cM between adjacent markers. Of the 21 QTLs detected te n were found to map on chromosome 5RL in the region of Ddw1. Beside the exp ected effects on plant height and peduncle length that are most probably du e to the presence of the major dwarfing gene, additional effects on yield c haracters and flowering time were discovered in that region which may be ca used by pleiotropic effects of Ddw1. An additional supposed gene cluster co nsisting of four QTLs controlling flowering time and yield components was d iscovered in the centromere region of chromosome 2R. Further loci are distr ibuted on chromosomes 1R (1), 4R (1) 6R (3) and 7R (1). The map positions o f the quantitative trait loci detected in rye are discussed in relation to major genes or QTLs determining agronomically important traits in other cer eals.