Microsatellite Variation in Genomic Regions Responsible for Agro-Ecological Adaptation of Wheat

ABSTRACT

Microsatellite (SSR) diversity at 48 loci spread in different genomic regions and comprising different types of tandem dinucleotide repeats was analyzed in 158 cultivars and advanced breeding lines of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L) from Bulgarian and Belgian collections. Significant agro-ecological divergence found in many loci has displayed asymmetric and subjective distribution of repeat numbers. Agro-ecological-specific and unique alleles were determined in both collections. The observed microsatellite diversity at loci close to some QTLs is affected by different climatic environments. These evidences are related both to the variation of the ecological stress factors and the natural selection on SSR loci, resulting presumably in adaptive structures.

Keywords:

• wheat
• biodiversity
• adaptation
• ecological environments
• micorsatellite markers