Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with enzymatic digestibility of wheat straw using DArT markers

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of plant production and genetic engineering, Agriculture Faculty, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

2 systems biology research department, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII) , Karaj, Iran

3 Research and Technology Institute of Plant Production (RTIPP), Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

4 department of plant production and genetic engineering. Agriculture faculty. Shahid bahonar university of Kerman. Kerman. Iran

10.22103/jab.2025.24915.1671

Abstract

Abstract:
Objective: Agricultural waste is one of the challenges of today's world. Lignocellulosic waste can be used as a source for the production of fermentable sugars for biofuels and other valuable products. The aim of this study is to identify genetic loci, candidate genes, and molecular markers associated with the enzymatic digestibility of wheat straw to be utilized in wheat breeding projects for increasing the production of reducing sugars. Additionally, identifying wheat lines with the highest potential for conversion into reducing sugars is another objective of this research.
Materials and Methods:
In this study, 167 inbred lines (F9) derived from the cross between the cultivars Roshan and Superhead were used. The lines were cultivated in the research field of the Faculty of Agriculture at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, and the resulting straw was prepared for enzymatic digestion experiments. For enzymatic digestion, recombinant xylanase and cellulase enzymes were used, and the amount of released sugar was measured. Genotyping of the lines was performed using DArT markers, and a genetic map was constructed using 167 lines and 662 DArT markers. Candidate genes within the confidence intervals of the identified QTLs were identified using databases related to the wheat genome.
Results:
A genetic linkage map with a length of 4315.35 centimorgans was constructed, and three QTLs were identified for the amount of sugar released from the biomass. Two QTLs were located on chromosomes 7A and 6D for the amount of sugar released by cellulase digestion (CEL), and one QTL for xylanase digestion (XYL) was located on chromosome 7A. Using the physical distance of markers adjacent to the identified QTLs, two candidate genes, TraesCS7A03G0782000LC and TraesCS7A03G0781900LC, were identified. These genes are involved in biochemical processes related to the production of kinase proteins and hypothetical proteins. These proteins play a key role in regulating metabolic pathways associated with enzymatic digestion and the conversion of biomass into reducing sugars. These genes are considered important candidates for genetic modification to improve sugar production processes in wheat. Additionally, the promising lines identified in this study can be used in wheat breeding programs to develop cultivars with higher sugar production potential.

Conclusion:
The results of this study highlight the importance of chromosomes 6D and 7A in controlling the amount of sugars released through enzymatic digestion. The genes and markers identified for the QTL regions can be utilized in breeding programs aimed at improving the digestibility of wheat biomass.

Keywords

References

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Agricultural Biotechnology Journal
Volume 17, Issue 3
August 2025
Pages 219-234

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