Molecular mapping of QTLs for gluten strength as measured by sedimentation volume and mixograph in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp durum)

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for gluten strength measured by SDS-sedimentation volume (SV), mixograph and grain protein content (GPC) were located on the molecular linkage map of a durum wheat recombinant inbred line population. QSv.macs-1B.1 flanked by Xgwm550–Glu-B3 was the most consistent QTL for SV identified in all the environments. The same QTL was also associated with mixograph peak energy, peak time and total energy. The Glu-B1 locus was at the center of another QTL responsible for SV, while, Glu-B2 influenced SV as well as mixograph peak energy and peak time. Apart from glutenin coding loci, QTLs influencing mixing parameters and GPC were located in three other marker intervals Xwmc48.2–Xpsp3030 (4B), Xgwm573–Xbarc231.1 (7A) and Xgwm46–Xgwm540.1 (7B). A total of 26 main effect QTLs and 10 digenic epistatic interactions (QQ) for quality traits were distributed over 11 chromosomes. Out of these, seven main effect QTLs and three QQ interactions were involved in interactions with environments (QE, QQE). The results indicated that along with chromosome 1B, chromosomes 4B, 7A and 7B are also important for improvement of gluten strength and GPC in durum wheat.