Genetic Bases of Root System Architecture in Durum Wheat Seedlings

Abstract

Root system architecture (RSA) traits are characterized by constitutive genetic inheritance components which may enable to predict the root phenotypes based on genetic information. The research presented in this study aimed at the identification of traits and genes that underlie root system architecture (RSA) in a population of 176 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross between two durum wheat cvs. Meridiana and Claudio, in order to eventually contribute to the genetic improvement of this species. The following seedling-stage RSA traits were: primary root length, seminal root length, total root length, diameter of primary and seminal roots. Results of ANOVA showed a significant difference among durum wheat cultivars for all traits and the largest heritability was observed for total root length (30.7%). In total, 14 novel QTLs for RSA traits were identified, and both parents contributed favorable alleles to the population.International Journal of Life Sciences 10 (1) : 2016; 25-28