QTL mapping of genes controlling Na+ and K+ concentration in roots and shoots of wheat under normal and salt stress conditions

In wheat Na+ exclusion and K+/Na+ have shown to be associated with salinity tolerance، therefore in order to identify QTLs with additive effect for Na+ and K+ concentration traits in roots and shoots of wheat، 319 bread wheat recombinant inbred lines (RIL F7)، derived from a cross between Roshan cultivar (salt tolerant) and Falat cultivar (salt sensitive)، along with their parents and 2 checks (Arg and Moghan3) were studied in 2 separate randomized complete block designs (normal and stress) with 3 replications in greenhouse in 2012. Traits measured included shoot and root Na+ and K+ concentration، K+/Na+ ratio in root and shoot and root to shoot Na+ and K+ concentrations. Linkage map was constructed with 730 markers (709 DArt markers and 21 SSR markers). The linkage map spanned 4505. 71 cM with an average distance of 6. 17 cM between adjacent markers. A total of 31 additive QTLs were identified by QTL Cartographer program using single-environment phenotypic values. Results indicated that the biochemical pathways for Na+ and K+ accumulation are highly likely to be independent. Also، results indicated that shoot Na+ concentration and root to shoot Na+ and K+ concentrations could be used as selection criteria between tolerant and sensitive cultivars in salt stress condition.