Mapping QTLs with main and epistatic effect on Seri ‘M82 × Babax‘wheat population under salt stress

The population of this research included 167 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a Seri/Babax cross. In order to map and visualize the genetic architecture of the agricultural traits, an experiment was conducted in an alpha lattice under normal (2 ds m−1) and saline (12–14 ds m−1) conditions at the Research Farm of Agricultural and Natural Resource Station of Zabol, Iran for 2 years (2012–2013). in this study, a total of 20 QTLs with additive effects and of 24 QTLs with epistatic effects for these traits were identified and distributed across all 21 chromosomes of wheat. Twenty stable QTL regions were detected on chromosomes 1B, 1D, 2A, 3B, 4A, 6A, 7A and 7D, which could significantly affect traits in all experiments. The QTLs detected on chromosomes 7D and 1D were not only significant and consistent but also co-localized for days to heading and days to anthesis. Several colocalized and additive QTLs with variability in QTL regions of chromosome 3B were also identified, which included the QTLs for final dry biomass (BY, straw + grain), grain yield and water-soluble carbohydrate content. The only two QTLs on chromosome 1B identified for the two traits were chlorophyll Florence (FV/FM) and thousand grain weight in different regions. Most of the identified QTLs had significant additive and epistatic effects with QTL and environments (QEIs) interactions.