E.K. KHLESTKINA , E.G. PESTOVA, M.S. RÖDER and A.

BÖRNER

Molecular mapping and geographical distribution of genes de-

termining anthocyanin pigmentation of coleoptiles in wheat (Triti-
cum aestivum L.) 1

E.K. K HLESTKINA 2, E.G. P ESTSOVA 2, 3, M.S. RÖDER 3 and A. B ÖRNER 3

Anthocyanin pigmentation of different parts of the plants is found in many species in-
cluding the cereals. In wheat major genes are known for the coloration of coleoptiles,
auricles, straw, anthers or grains (MCINTOSH et al. 1998). For coleoptile colour three
major genes were described (MCINTOSH et al. 1998) to be located on chromosomes 7A
(Rc1), 7B (Rc2) and 7D (Rc3), respectively. The present study was initiated in order to
map the three homoeologous group 7 red coleoptile colour genes in wheat by using mi-
crosatellite markers. In addition we investigated the geographical distribution of those
genes in 468 mainly European wheat varieties.

Materials and methods

Two intrachromosomal substitution lines ‘Chinese Spring/Hope 7A’ (Rc1) and ‘Chinese
Spring/Hope 7B’ (Rc2) were crossed with the non-coloured spring wheat genebank ac-
cessions TRI 15010 and TRI 2732, respectively, originating from Ethiopia and China
(Tibet), respectively. For mapping Rc3 on chromosome 7D a mapping population of the
cross ‘Mironovskaya 808’ × ‘Aibian 1’ was used. In addition the parents and 109 re-
combinant inbred lines of the ‘International Triticeae Mapping Initiative’ (ITMI) population
were evaluated phenotypically. The seeds were placed on moistened filter paper and
coleoptile colour was scored after five to seven days. Fresh leaves were used for DNA
extraction. Wheat microsatellite markers known to map on chromosomes 7A (31), 7B
(34) and 7D (26) were selected and used as described by RÖDER et al. (1998). The
phenotypic data obtained from the ITMI population were integrated into a framework
map (RÖDER et al. 1998). Linkage maps were constructed with the MAPMAKER 2.0

1
This presentation is a summary of an extended paper accepted for publication in the journal Theoretical
and Applied Genetics (KHLESTKINA et al. 2002)
2
Institute of Cytology and Genetics
Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
3
Institut für Pflanzengenetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung (IPK)
Corrensstrasse 3
D-06466 Gatersleben, Germany

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Molecular mapping and geographical distribution of genes determining anthocyanin pigmentation

computer program (LANDER et al. 1987); QTL-analysis was performed using the
QGENE application (NELSON 1997).

Genetic mapping

The phenotypic segregation data, obtained from scoring F 2 or F 3 populations gave clear
indication for a monogenic inheritance of the target trait as proven by χ2-test. From the
wheat microsatellites tested, 20 out of 31 (chromosome 7A; 65%), 23 out of 34 (chro-
mosome 7B; 68%) and 11 out of 26 (chromosome 7D; 42%) were found to be polymor-
phic between the parents. The three coleoptile colour genes were mapped about 15 to
20 cM distal from the centromere on the short arms of the homoeologous group 7 chro-
mosomes. Since the map positions of all three genes are highly comparable it may be
concluded that they are members of a homoeologous series. According to the rules for
the symbolisation of genes in homoeologous sets, we propose to designate the group 7
red coleoptile colour genes as Rc-A1, Rc-B1 and Rc-D1, respectively. Further ho-
moeologous loci may exist on chromosome 7R in Secale cereale (an1) and on chro-
mosome 7H in Hordeum vulgare (ant1). When analysing the ITMI population, two QTLs
were mapped within intervals, highly comparable to the regions where the major genes
in the F 2/F3 mapping studies were detected. It could be suggested that the A genome of
Triticum durum and the D genome of Aegilops tauschii are carrying homoeologous loci
determining red coleoptile colour.

Geographical distribution

Most of the 468 varieties tested, about 60% (273), were found having non coloured co-
leoptiles, whereas in 23% (107) and 6% (26) of the wheat genotypes red and dark red
coloured coleoptiles, respectively, were detected. Sixty-two varieties (13%) were seg-
regating. The highest percentage of varieties with red coloured coleoptiles was found in
material from the United Kingdom (62%), followed by France (38%) and Germany
(28%). High frequencies of segregating varieties were discovered in material from the
Ukraine (25%) and France (23%). Interestingly, the frequency of varieties having red
coloured coleoptiles was lower in Southern and Eastern Europe compared to Western
European countries. A list with the results for all tested varieties is presented by
KHLESTKINA et al. (2001).

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 E.K. KHLESTKINA , E.G. PESTOVA, M.S. RÖDER and A. BÖRNER

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