Mapping of loci affecting copper tolerance in wheat—The possible impact of the vernalization gene Vrn-A1

Pot experiments with copper-treated soil and a control were performed in a greenhouse to determine QTLs for copper tolerance in wheat, using deletion, introgression and single chromosome recombinant lines. Genetic and physical mapping identified loci for copper tolerance on the long arm of chromosomes 5A and 5D, while loci with minor effects were found on the long and short arms of chromosome 5B. Tests on ‘Chinese Spring’–Aegilops tauschii introgression lines revealed a locus influencing copper tolerance on chromosome 3DS. QTLs for copper tolerance on chromosome 5A were mapped genetically and physically to exactly the same position as the gene for vernalization requirement (Vrn-A1). It is therefore suggested that Vrn-A1 may have a pleiotropic effect on copper tolerance may be due to the control of Cbf genes.