The Plant Genome The Plant Genome ORIGINAL RESEARCH Open Access Mapping and validation of major and stable QTL for flag leaf size from tetraploid wheat

The flag leaf is an important photosynthetic organ of wheat (Triticum aestivumL.). Appropriate flag leaf size can effectively increase grain yield. In this study, a tetraploid wheat population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and a genetic map constructed based on a wheat 55K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for flag leaf length (FLL), flag leaf width (FLW), flag leaf area (FLA), and the flag leaf length/width ratio (FLR). A novel and major interval flanked by markersAX-111633224andAX-109317229was identified. This interval includes QTL for FLL (QFll.sau-AM-4B.2), for FLW (QFlw.sau-AM-4B.4), for FLA (QFla.sau-AM-4B), and for FLR (QFlr.sau-AM-4B). Based on the genotypes of the closely linked KASP (Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) marker (KASP-AX-108756198),QFlw.sau-AM-4B.4andQFla.sau-AM-4Bwere successfully verified in two F3populations with different genetic backgrounds. Genetic associations between flag leaf-related traits and other agronomic traits were detected and analyzed. Four genes in this interval were likely involved in the growth and development of the flag leaf size. In conclusion, this study provides clues for excavating genes related to flag leaf size and breeding variety with ideal plant structure.