Identification of new SRAP markers linked to leaf chlorophyll content, flag leaf senescence and cell membrane stability traits in wheat under water-stressed condition

A segregating F4 population from the cross between drought sensitive (Yecora Rojo) and drought tolerant (Pavon 76) genotypes was made to identify SRAP markers linked to leaf chlorophyll content, flag leaf senescence and cell membrane stability traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under water-stressed condition. The parents and 150 F4 families were evaluated phenotypically for drought tolerance using two irrigation treatments (2500 and 7500 m/ha). Using 98 different SRAP primer combinations tested for polymorphism in testing parental and F4 families genotypes, the results revealed that quantitative trait locus (QTL) for chlorophyll content was associated with five SRAP markers and explained phenotypic variation ranged from 38 to 53 %. The genetic distance between chlorophyll content QTL and SRAP markers ranged from 10.4 to 22.7 cM. QTL for flag leaf senescence was associated with five SRAP markers and explained phenotypic variations ranged from 35 to 45 %. The genetic distance between flag leaf senescence QTL and SRAP markers ranged from 10.7 to 23.5 cM. QTL for cell membrane stability was associated with five SRAP markers and explained phenotypic variations from 25 to 44 %. The SRAP markers for cell membrane stability had genetic distances ranged from 7.3 to 17.1 cM. We suggest that these SRAP markers linked to the QTLs of drought-induced physiological traits, leaf chlorophyll content, flag leaf senescence and cell membrane stability can be further used in breeding for drought tolerance in wheat.