Association Mapping in a Wheat Diversity Panel

The population structure of a collection of 500 Triticeae accessions from around the world, including landraces, synthetic hexaploids and modern cultivars was analysed following genotyping using the 90K Illumina iSelect markers. The collection separated into five dominant clusters. The whole population was then grown in South Australian field conditions and yield, yield components, harvest index and plant phenology were assessed over two years. Significant associations are reported here. Two of the clusters were selected for association mapping of their responses to combined drought and heat with the aim of defining new genetic loci for stress tolerance.