Characterization of some local and commercial bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes with allele-specific DNA markers

Landraces play a significant role as genetic reservoirs in wheat breeding studies. Advances in functional marker technology have facilitated early and more precise selection processes. This study involved the characterization of a total of 96 bread wheat genotypes, comprising 76 landraces and 20 registered cultivars, utilizing allele-specific DNA markers targeting various genes including those for gluten strength, yellow rust resistance, stem rust resistance, dwarfness, rye translocation, hardiness. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of 148 alleles, with an average of 21.14 alleles per marker, and an average polymorphic information content (PIC) value of 0.5625. Specific genes such as the rye translocation gene were identified in genotypes 161 and 884, while the grain hardiness gene was found in genotypes 672, 3088, 3384, 3414, and 3541. The stem rust resistance gene was detected in the cultivar Adana-99, the yellow rust resistance gene in genotypes 1635 and 2115, and the grain hardiness gene in 31 genotypes including the cultivar Masaccio. Based on the dendrogram analysis, genotype 3652 exhibited around 93% genetic similarity with the cultivar Masaccio, while genotypes 2190, 2715, and 2897 showed similarity to genotype 2946. Genotypes 2959 and 2960 and genotypes 3334 and 3359 shared approximately 91% genetic similarity.