DURUM WHEAT QTL

Durum Wheat QTL The main objective of this project is to identify the genes and/or QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci, that is, loci controlling quantitative characteristics) determining the morpho-physiological characteristics influencing yield potential and stability for different levels of water and nitrogen availability. These aspects have acquired increasing importance due to climate change and the need to reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizers. Società Produttori Sementi of Bologna (coordinator), the DISTA (Department of Agroenvironmental Science and Technology, Bologna University) and CIMMYT (the Center Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo), through its subcontractor ICARDA (the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas) and INRAT (the Tunisian National Institute of Agronomic Research) are all partners in this project. The opportunity to work with research centres representing worldwide excellence in wheat genetics enables the main themes of the project to be assessed completely, leading to the study of other interesting characteristics, such as nutritional and qualitative value and resistance to pathogens. A new subject of research is the identification of QTL/genes for resistance to Septoria tritici, a fungal pathology that increasingly determines a reduction in the production of durum wheat. Research will also continue to be carried out on the virus SBWMV (Soil Born Wheat Mosaic Virus), which has recently become increasingly widespread in the Emilia Romagna region.