Evaluation of Phylogenetic Relationships for Waxy Genes in Wild and Cultivated Wheat using Multiplex-PCR

Waxy proteins are responsible for amylase synthesis in wheat seeds, being encoded by three waxy genes (Wx-A1, Wx-B1 and Wx-D1) in hexaploid wheat which have an important role in starch quality. The purpose of this study was to investigate phylogenetic relationship between waxy genes in wild and cultivated wheat using Multiplex-PCR. To this end, 71 populations from 8 Aegilops and 4 wheat wild spices ‘were studied. Clustering results showed that the samples were divided in two main groups. Diploid samples with A, B and D genomes located in the same group but tetra and hexaploid wheat located in the other group. Also, Biplot results showed that Aegilops with A and D genomes had the greatest genetic affinity for waxy genes. Multiplex-PCR technique is able to identify three waxy genes simultaneously in different populations of wheat which contributed substantially to breeder in cost and time.