Introgression of a major gene for high grain protein content in some Indian bread wheat cultivars

In bread wheat, high grain protein content (GPC) determines nutritional value, processing properties and quality of the end-product. In view of this, marker-assisted selection (MAS) was performed for introgression of a major gene for high GPC (Gpc-B1) into 10 wheat genotypes. As a result, 124 BC3F5/F6 progenies with Gpc-B1 were developed and evaluated in multi-location field trials. Significant interaction of Gpc-B1 with the recipient parent genotypes and the environment was noticed. However, a total of seven MAS-derived progenies with significantly higher GPC (14.83–17.85%) than their recipient parental genotypes and having no yield penalty were obtained. In these selected progenies, no significant negative correlation of grain yield with GPC (%) or protein yield was observed suggesting that GPC could be improved without yield penalty. This study thus suggested that MAS in combination with phenotypic selection is a useful strategy for development of wheat genotypes with high GPC associated with no loss in yield.

► Marker-assisted selection (MAS) was performed for introgression of a major gene for high GPC (Gpc-B1) into 10 Indian wheat genotypes.
► Development of wheat genotypes with high GPC without adverse effect on grain yield could be achieved through marker-assisted backcrossing (MAB) in combination with phenotypic selection.
► Molecular markers linked to economically important traits such as leaf rust resistance could help in pyramiding genes for more than one trait.