An SNP based GWAS analysis of seed longevity in wheat

Worldwide, ex situ genebanks are given the task to store seeds to prevent the danger of extinction of plant genetic resources. A regular monitoring of their germination capacity is central to any genebank and any drop in that beyond a certain threshold determines their regeneration cycle. Seed longevity varies among different species and is a quantitative trait. New molecular marker data covering hitherto empty genomic regions may provide new insights into the inheritance of this trait. Using genetic information of SNPs in two wheat panels, a total of 72 marker trait associations were discovered which could be confined to 24 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) based on marker proximity to each other. Among them, 13 QTLs are potentially novel. We also determined that with the pyramiding of favorable alleles, an increase of 12.8% in seed longevity could be achieved.