Identification of quantitative trait loci for grain yield, seed protein concentration and maturity in field pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Breeding efforts to improve grain yield, seed protein concentration and early maturity in pea (Pisum sativum L.) have proven to be difficult. The use of molecular markers will improve our understanding of the genetic factors conditioning these traits and is expected to assist in selection of superior genotypes. This study was conducted to identify genetic loci associated with grain yield, seed protein concentration and early maturity in pea. A population of 88 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) that was developed from a cross between 'Carneval' and 'MP1401' was evaluated at 13 environments across the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada in 1998, 1999 and 2000. A linkage map consisting of 193 AFLPs (amplified fragment length polymorphism), 13 RAPDs (random amplified polymorphic DNA) and one STS (sequence tagged site) marker was used to identify putative quantitative trait loci (QTL) for grain yield, seed protein concentration and early maturity. Four QTL were identified each for grain yield and days to maturity, and three QTL were identified for seed protein concentration. A multiple QTL model for each trait showed that these genomic regions accounted for 39%, 45% and 35% of the total phenotypic variation for grain yield, seed protein concentration and days to maturity, respectively. The consistency of these QTL across environments and their potential for marker-assisted selection are discussed in this report.