Influence of genotype and environment on wheat grain fructan content

Authors: VEENSTRA, LYNN - Cornell University; SANTANTONIO, NICHOLAS - Cornell University; Jannink, Jean-Luc; SORRELLS, MARK - Cornell University

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/10/2018
Publication Date: 11/21/2018
Citation: Veenstra, L.D., Santantonio, N., Jannink, J., Sorrells, M.E. 2018. Influence of genotype and environment on wheat grain fructan content. Crop Science. 59:190-198. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2018.06.0363.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2018.06.0363

Interpretive Summary: Fructans are naturally occurring plant polymers composed of fructose molecules. Fructans exhibit potentially beneficial effects on human health. We examined the effects of genotype and environment on winter wheat grain fructan content for 288 winter wheat genotypes grown in 2 years at three locations per year. No single genes were responsible for major effects on fructan content. While interactions between genotype and environment were statistically significant, they were not large enough to hinder breeding efforts. These results will help breeders seeking to develop nutritionally improved, climate-resilient wheat cultivars.

Technical Abstract: Fructans are naturally occurring plant polymers composed of fructose molecules. Approximately 15% of flowering plant species contain fructans, including wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Fructans serve as carbon stores in plants and exhibit potentially beneficial effects on human health. The main objectives of this study were to examine the effects of genotype and environment on winter wheat grain fructan content and to assess the feasibility of using genomic selection for grain fructan content. Total grain fructan content was determined for 288 winter wheat genotypes grown across 2 yr at three locations each year. Observed variation in wheat grain fructan content was significantly influenced by genotype, environment, and genotype × environment interactions. The high genetic correlation, small impact of genotype × environment interactions on genomic predictability, and lack of significant hits in a genome-wide association study suggest that genomic selection is a suitable tool in breeding for wheat grain fructan content. The results of this study will be useful for implementing recurrent genomic selection in winter wheat and guiding future decisions regarding breeding methodologies for total fructan content in wheat. This study provides a deeper understanding of the effects of genotype, environment, and genotype × environment interaction on fructan content, which will have implications for breeders seeking to develop nutritionally improved, climate-resilient wheat cultivars.