Multiple-line cross QTL mapping for grain yield and thousand kernel weight in triticale

Grain yield and its component trait thousand kernel weight are important traits in triticale breeding programmes. Here, we used a large mapping population of 647 doubled haploid lines derived from four families to dissect the genetic architecture underlying grain yield and thousand kernel weight by multiple‐line cross QTL mapping. We identified 3 QTL for grain yield and 13 for thousand kernel weight which cross‐validated explained 5.2% and 48.2% of the genotypic variance, respectively. Both traits showed a positive phenotypic correlation, and we found two QTL overlapping between them. Full two‐dimensional epistasis scans revealed epistatic QTL for both traits, suggesting that epistatic interactions contribute to their genetic architecture. Based on QTL identified in our results, we conclude that the potential for marker‐assisted selection is limited for grain yield but more promising for thousand kernel weight.