Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Lodging Resistance and other Important Agronomic Traits in Dry Field Peas

Abstract

ABSTRACT To discover the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) influencing lodging resistance and other agronomic traits in pea ( Pisum sativum L.), a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was created from a cross between the variety Delta and a breeding line from a complex cross. The RIL population was grown for five site years, and phenotypic data were collected for 13 quantitative traits and seven categorical traits. Genotypic data were derived from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), simple sequence repeat (SSR), and cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers. A layered QTL analysis identified seven specific regions where QTLs for these traits colocated. Mendel's height gene ( Le ) and the semi‐leafless mutation ( Af ) together accounted for the majority of the variation in lodging in the pea RIL population. All of the seven regions influenced stem thickness characteristics, but not all regions were associated with lodging. The regions near the high response to photoperiod ( Hr ) gene, and Mendel's flower color locus ( A ) putatively influenced yield. Both the region near Hr and a region on upper Linkage Group (LG) I were very important for seed size. Since data were collected on 13 different traits, pleiotropic effects could also be studied, giving a unique multi‐trait insight into the effects of these QTLs.