Trait phenotyping and SSR markers characterization of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm for breeding early maturing wheat’s for Western-Himalayas

The study involved evaluation of 96 wheat genotypes for early maturity and related traits and molecular characterization of trait specific candidate genotypes using 26 (20 random and 6 genic) SSR markers. Trait characterization revealed significant variation for early maturity and other related traits. The analysis of genotypic data of 26 markers led to the detection of 166 alleles ranging from 2 to 8 alleles with an average of 3.8 alleles per locus. Separate analysis of genotypic data of 20 random and 06 trait specefic markers led to the identification of 118 and 51 alleles, respectively. Allelic diversity study in the two sub-populations i.e., early and late maturing populations detected a total of 167 and 144 alleles, respectively. Higher gene diversity was detected in early maturing sub-population (0.135) when compared to late maturing sub-population (0.071). Single marker analysis revealed significant association of 05 random ( Xcfd31, Xcfd39, Xgwm148, Xgwm190 and Xgwm538 ) and 02 trait specific markers ( Xwmc1 and Xgwm271 ) with early maturity. Therefore, two trait specific markers explaining 21.36% and 10.94% phenotypic variation (PVE%) respectively for early maturity are declared validated during the present study. Overall, the findings of the present study will prove useful in future wheat improvement programs aimed at developing early maturing wheat varieties.