Genomic Architecture of Phenotypic Plasticity in Response to Water Stress in Tetraploid Wheat

Phenotypic plasticity is one of the main mechanisms adaptation to abiotic stresses via changes in critical developmental stages. Altering flowering phenology a key evolutionary strategy plant stresses, achieve maximum possible reproduction. The current study first apply linear regression residuals as drought scores while considering variation and traits under non-stress conditions. We characterized genomic architecture 17 complex their for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, using mapping population derived from cross between durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) wild emmer (T. dicoccoides). identified 79 QTLs affected observed scores, which 33 reflected response water stress exhibited epistatic interactions and/or pleiotropy traits. Vrn-B3 (TaTF1) residing within an interval major drought-escape QTL was proposed candidate gene. favorable alleles most were contributed by wheat, demonstrating its high potential improvement. Our presents new approach quantification various provides insights into genetic basis water-deficit stress.