Genome Wide Association Studies for Grain Micronutrient Concentration in Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Micronutrient content is a major aspect of food quality and has been under threat after gain in production post green revolution. Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) are the micronutrients that are cofactors for many enzymes and plays critical role in human physiology. Deciphering the accumulation of these micronutrients in wheat and identification of QTLs associated with these elements, is very significant for cutting the risk of malnutrition in humans. Here, genome wide association study (GWAS) of 105 lines from an elite panel of wheat association mapping initiative (WAMI) was done for the two cropping seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23 for grain calcium and magnesium content (GCaC and GMgC). Notably, two marker trait associations (MTAs) wsnp_Ex_c2718_5038582, Kuk-ri_c11327_977, and RAC875_c9984_1003 were found for GCaC and similarly three MTAs (Tdurum_contig28802_213, wsnp_Ex_c34597_42879693 and RFL_Contig6053_3082) were identified for GMgC in both the cropping seasons proving their utility and non-redundancy. MTA associated with SNP marker (wsnp_Ex_c34597_42879718) was also identified in the two seasons and significant for both GCaC and GMgC. Our study widens the insights on the genetic control of Ca and Mg accumulation in wheat and utilization of this information for future breeding programs, wherein wheat improvement with enhanced Ca and Mg may be designed and conducted.